


,R MEDICAL 

ULTURE 



R.DUNHAM, M.D. 



■ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

@|ap @0ju}rir$t f o 

Shelf 3-^.A 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE 



The law of instinct is the law of the living principle. 
A department not presented or defined in medical liter- 
ature. 



Higher Medical Culture. 



jffletrical Science 

BASED ON 

THE FOUR VITAL PROPERTIES AND LAWS 
OF ORGANIC FORCE. 



BY 






W. R. DUNHAM, M.D. 




CAMBRIDGE : 
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 

1892. 



V 






Copyright, 1892, 
By J. S. Dunham. 



By John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. 



CONTENTS. 



-+■ 



PAGE 

Introduction 7 

Vital Properties and Laws of Organic 

Force 23 

Department of Organic Law 58 

Eruptive Fevers 79 

Pneumonia 86 

Vitalists 101 

44 Active Medical Properties " .... 109 

objectionable quality 126 

Partial Summary or Scientific Premises . 157 

Chemical Food 160 

Sensation and Sensibility 163 

Responsibility 167 

Why do People drink Alcoholic Liquors ? 177 

Summary 210 



INTRODUCTION 



Write on your doors the saying wise and old, 
" Be bold ! be bold ! " and everywhere, " Be bold ! 
Be not too bold ! " Yet better the excess 
Than the defect ; better the more than less ; 
Better like Hector in the field to die, 
Than like a perfumed Paris turn and fly. 

H. W. Longfellow. 

*T*HIS volume is prepared with a view to 
call attention to a department in medi- 
cal science, which has not heretofore been 
presented for consideration through medical 
literature. 

While the direction of present research is 
largely being made for a discovery of both 
new cause of disease and " active medical 
properties," with more special attention to 
the grouping and describing of the appear- 
ances of pathological conditions, we shall 



8 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

have little to say of those mentioned divis- 
ions of research ; but call attention to the 
properties, laws, and principles of organic 
force as related to the cause of disease, 
and being the active agent which gives exist- 
ence to pathological facts; thus presenting 
a theory or explanation which connects the 
discovered cause with the described conse- 
quences; or, in other words, we propose to 
present a theory of medical science from the 
basis of organic force. 

We believe it is conceded by very nu- 
merous and highly cultured representatives 
of medical science, that our department 
of alleged scientific erudition is without 
accepted or known fundamental principles, 
which give unity and precision to scientific 
methods; also that when placed in relations 
of comparison with other departments of 
natural science, medical science has failed 
through research to discover and elucidate 
the laws of force, which give activity to the 
phenomena of their department of organic 



INTRODUCTION'. 9 

nature, with any such degree of 
as has been demonstrated with those depai 
ments of science which present the phenom- 
ena of the inorganic for 

landing the important and prac- 
tical significance implied in such fact 
om: . it is well to remember I the 

medical mind has been dealing with a de- 
partment of Nature 1 which are a 
thousand times more intricate in their sub- 
tle rel - with expressed phenomena, tL 
any found in the departments of inorganic 
ience. k such delay may be thus 
excusable, it certainly remains true that 

nomical and chemi- 
cal railed I sr Nature's pi 
and laws of force in those departments of 
inorganic nature until a verv recent com- 
parative date. Thus, while the medical de- 
partment has been more tardy in obtaining 
the fruit of diligent research, there is in 
pal d the unquestioned fact Haider, 
that uur problems in Nature are vastly more 



10 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

profound. A certain eminent physician has 
said, in defining the direction to be pursued : 
" Medical science demands of her votaries un- 
ceasing toil and investigation, with the en- 
thusiasm and courage of pioneers, to explore 
unknown regions, cultivate barren wastes, 
and perfect a knowledge in the true spirit 
of philanthropy that will stamp its im- 
press on the coming ages, by the develop- 
ment of a law which can accurately measure 
and classify morbid states; a better knowl- 
edge of the nature of disease will aid us 
more than all the drugs discovered during 
this century." We trust no one will deny 
the statement that medical science, in com- 
mon with other departments of natural sci- 
ence, is based on two prime ultimate factors, 
which factors become the starting points 
from which all methods of procedure in 
theory and practice must depend. One fac- 
tor is material. The other factor is organic 
force. 

The same is true as to chemistry and 



11 



^■-':\:.-. — - «'•*.::. :':.:H Lis: 
ei:es. :i~ ::::- 1:1-- .- 11 : 
wb partment of mfriical a 

ml . . 

orgrai Eorae, or power, mar do 

. .. • 

manv text-books on physiology. ~ 

al power, mar do with 
>n-nut : reign mate- 

ria 
with the bwa and methods of prooed* 

no: lined in any medico text 



Tin we lint that the wn—Smg 

n-: ::::". 5::ii:r is : vi 1. ni in: lifi. ii 
• 11 i : _ " ■"* -"__ .;'„ :i;.i ; :;:: : 
pla relation to non-nutritive materi 



12 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

While the department nutritive has been 
disposed of with entire satisfaction, the sub- 
ject of law and method, with foreign material, 
is quite largely hidden in obscurity. Thus 
the subject before us will be implied in the 
relations and dealings of methods and pro- 
cedure which organic force adopts, as an 
active agent in relation to foreign material. 

It is true that what is called vis medica- 
trix naturce has been recognized, but what 
is really implied or involved as expressed 
through such term ? Is it not reasonable 
to presume that in the recognition of this 
principle we have the cue to expectation 
that much may be revealed of great useful- 
ness in the affairs of life, through a correct 
knowledge and law of all that is implied in 
the fulfilment of such a principle ? It is this 
principle in organic nature that we propose 
to present. 

In this department we are quite largely 
exploring in new fields for explanation of 
organic methods. While such literature is 



INTRODUCTION. 13 

not abundant, — and for what reason neg- 
lected we are unable to explain, — yet it 
may not be without interest to consider what 
this department seems to reveal, which Na- 
ture has long held as trustee for mankind. 
In brief, we say, that what is erroneously 
called vis medicatrix naturce is really no 
more nor less than organic force instinctively 
directed in relation to non-nutritive or foreign 
material, with a view to the self-preservation 
of the organic body. Prof. Robley Dun- 
glison, M.D., says, in his "Materia Medica" 
(Vol. I. p. 34) : " The vis medicatrix naturce, 
for and against which so much has been said, 
can no more be denied than the existence of 
life, — of which we know nothing except by 
its results." We propose to illustrate that 
this so called vis medicatrix naturce, which 
is really a manifestation of organic power in- 
stinctively directed, is the only power, force, 
ability, or agent ever active in the affairs of 
disease, or in relations with medicine. 
Intelligence relates to the control of this 



14 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

principle, or power, only indirectly, through 
a knowledge of the laivs of organic instinct. 
Thus, to know the full function and possi- 
ble usefulness implied in the erroneously 
so called vis medicatrix naturce, we are re- 
quired to comprehend the laws of organic 
force, which execute the duties of this de- 
partment. While we shall have much to 
present for consideration in name, nature, 
and properties involved in the duties and ac- 
tivities of organic force, — which department 
has always been one of serious omission, — 
we also desire to state that we are not alone 
in finding cause for criticism with this depart- 
ment. Says Henry Maudsley, If. D., F. R. C. P., 
- It is easy to perceive how impossible it is in 
the present state of science to come to any 
positive conclusion in regard to the nature of 
the vital force.' 1 And it has also been said 
by equally eminent authority, that " this 
generation, and generations to come, will 
have passed to their everlasting rest before 
a discovery of the secret of vital activity is 



1 «. 



» :.: 
7: r 



\ 



! 



s 



16 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

of the University of Pennsylvania, in his 
" Materia Medica " (Vol. I. p. 3) : " Medical 
conclusions differ very widely from every 
other species of evidence. We cheat our- 
selves with a thousand illusions." Says Dr. 
James Mason Good, the noted writer of medi- 
cal literature, " The science of medicine is a 
barbarous jargon." Such remarks from our 
very eminent medical scholars find cause for 
expression, because no clear idea exists rela- 
tive to the law and nature of organic force, 
as applied to methods in the affairs of life 
involved in disease, and in relations with 
medicine. 

The science of medicine is not found in the 
direction of what is called " active medical 
property," but in the direction and within the 
domain of active organic force^ developed into 
activity through the agency of the vital prop- 
erty, instinct. While there is much to ac- 
quire through research in the field of organic 
forces, there is also much to condemn of seri- 
ous commission, which imagination has sup- 



INTRODUCTION. 17 

plied to take the place of the alleged neg- 
lected omission. This imaginary department 
includes not only errors of language, which 
represent no principles in nature, but im- 
plies erroneous and dangerous thought when 
made applicable to the affairs of life. In illus- 
tration, we here mention, and in the proper 
place shall make, and endeavor to maintain, 
more specific charges. 

We declare that there is no such prin- 
ciple in Nature as so called " active medical 
property." There is no " active medical 
principle." Such doctrine is based on the 
erroneous interpretation of appearances, and 
nearest of kin to that delusion which pre- 
saged the doctrine that the sun revolved 
around the earth. 

What is called the modus operandi of 
medicine is really pathological vital action 
instinctively directed in relation to the pres- 
ence of the medicine. Disease is very 
largely pathological vital action, of acute 

or chronic manifestation. Medicine does not 

2 



18 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

act on the human organism, but its presence 
becomes a cause for the instinctive organic 
power to be directed differently. ,Medicine 
becomes useful, not because it acts, or has 
" active properties," but from the fact that 
its presence becomes a cause for the vital 
power to act differently. 

The present plan of medical practice is 
based on the imaginary principle called " ac- 
tive medical property," which doctrine has 
been so universally accepted that a belief 
has developed with the laity that the great 
essential with invalidism is to supply suf- 
ficient of this " active principle." Thus it 
is fast becoming a matter of indifference 
who shall supply this u active principle " in 
material form. As a legitimate result of 
such indifference, a large amount of medi- 
cal practice will go into the hands of igno- 
rant medicine pedlers, to the great detriment 
of the invalid and the belittlement of pro- 
fessional attainment. 

A correct practice of medicine must be 



INTRODUCTION. 19 

based on the law of the instinctive action of 
organic force. Thus the duty of the physi- 
cian is to comprehend^ and be ever watchful 
of the proceedings of vital activity, and to 
guide such activity most safely to the best 
possible results. When the laity so under- 
stand this subject, no intelligent person will 
trust the management of their case with any 
reputed physician not liberally educated and 
familiar with the laws of instinctive organic 
force. The astronomer cannot ignore the 
inorganic laws of force, and make legitimate 
claim to being a student of science ; neither 
can the physician make valid claim as an 
intelligent practitioner of medical science 
without a knowledge of the laws and prop- 
erties of instinctive organic force, which 
gives activity to the various phenomena 
he is required to consider. 

This volume will include the defining of 
the several vital properties of life, with their 
alleged sphere of fulfilment and compensat- 
ing relations of purpose, together with such 



20 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

laws of general application in aid of self-pres- 
ervation of the organic body as will furnish a 
basis for the making of a more extended ap- 
plication of organic force or vital instinctive 
activity, in the name of theory and practice 
and become applicable in the treatment of 
disease. From such basis of fundamental 
principles we have an equally positive law 
on which to establish a theory and practice 
as exists in the departments of inorganic 
science. 

No other department of erudition remains 
enshrouded in such mystery as is confessed 
through medical literature to exist in that 
of medical science. The time has arrived 
when the profession cannot afford longer 
to pursue a phantom, and ignore research 
from the true premises of a science. The 
doctrine of " active medical property " rep- 
resents neither a fact nor a principle in 
medical science, while our present medical 
philosophy is without principles that enable 
the profession to comprehend the nature of 



INTRODUCTION. 21 

disease, or the modus operandi of medicines ; 
and the nature of vital activity is a problem 
postponed for future generations to solve. 

The solution of the various problems, and 
the development of a medical science, are to 
be found in the laws and nature of organic 
force. We must accept the aphorism that, 
if the practice of medicine is entitled to be 
considered from premises which are implied 
in scientific principles, it becomes legitimate 
inquiry to ascertain the nature of such prin- 
ciples. This volume will contribute little of 
interest to those who practise medicine only 
as an industry. 



MEDICAL SCIENCE 



BASED ON THE 



VITAL PEOPEETIES AND LAWS OF 
OKGANIC FOBCE. 



|"N considering the department of vital prop- 
erties and laws of instinctive organic 
force for the purpose here set forth, we find 
ourself quite largely exploring in a direction 
which has failed heretofore in being recog- 
nized with that degree of importance which 
legitimately attains to the subject. 

While we do not expect to see and compre- 
hend all which this department may reveal 
in aid of a correct and scientific method for 
the practice of a medical science, we shall 
anticipate and also invite an honest criticism, 
which we trust may be of extreme value in 
shaping the medical mind into better rela- 



24 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. , 

tions with cause and effect, developing more 
extensively and clearly the great principles 
in organic nature which will aid in the 
development of the science. 

It is not to be presumed that we anticipate 
the presentation of a new plan of life, but 
more correctly to approximate a representa- 
tion of the real plan. With this problem, 
we have for examination an organized live 
human being, endowed with certain qual- 
ities and organic abilities, which exist in 
significant distinction to the individual of 
material form. 

The individual human being has certain 
and separable unlike special vital properties, 
through which, both consciously and uncon- 
sciously, it becomes possible to hold active 
relations between itself and the outer world, 
of which the organized material self may be 
no part. 

In the name of Sensibility, Sensation, In- 
stinct, and Contractility, — which qualities 
of life expression arc not subject to a sub- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 25 

division of function, although possessed of 
great diversity of expression, — we have/ow 
ultimate vital properties, through which the 
human organism may express relations both 
with itself and with the outer world. 

As applied to our purpose with the problem 
of medical science, of comparative relation, 
we say that no science of astronomy could be 
taught until a correct plan*, and laws of in- 
organic force, became recognized. And thus 
it is with medical science : we are required 
to recognize both a correct plan and the laws 
of organic force, which execute method in the 
fulfilment of purpose. 

Thus the principles which are to be con- 
sidered as involved in the problems of medi- 
cal science are principles existing and 
implied in the nature and laws of vital pur- 
pose. Therefore, what the human organism 
fulfils in the aggregate in this direction 
can be best determined by an examination 
separately of the distinct vital properties. 
In other words, this would imply that we 



26 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

essay to determine what is the plan of life. 
Thus we will attempt to define the official 
duty and purpose which seem legitimate to 
the several vital properties. 

The distinction of purpose, and often co- 
relation of duty in illustration of certain 
facts, will afford valid reason for more or less 
of partial repetition. 

Sensibility. — This term seems to express 
legitimately certain abilities as a vital prop- 
erty of life, — as a part of the grand whole, 
which is fulfilled through the brain function 
as intelligence and reason, — comprised in all 
the variety of purpose to which conscious 
intelligence becomes applicable. And we fur- 
ther define this vital property, Sensibility, 
as possessed of perceptive abilities which 
afford the possibility to recognize things, 
conditions, and relations, both near in contact 
and external to and beyond contact ; that is, 
at all distances, in quite significant distinction 
to the vital property Sensation. While this 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 27 

vital property includes a part of the recog- 
nized abilities called special sense, such spe- 
cial departments do not contribute to our 
purpose with such degree of usefulness as to 
make it important to further enlarge the ful- 
filment of duty implied in such property. 

Sensation. — Sensation is a vital property of 
great significance with our subject ; and 
unlike Sensibility, that more than a brief 
mention is required to do justice to the many 
problems of which it becomes a part. 

Sensation is expressed through a nerve 
ability, which is without consciousness or 
intelligence, and can recognize only by i 
mediate contact at insensible d 

Remember the mentioned distance of meas- 
ured distinction in the applied fulfilment 
of function, with the two mentioned vital 
properties. 

Sensation may be a condition of pleas- 
ure, irritability, or pain. The vital property 
sensation may express a sensation normal or 



28 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. . 

abnormal ; the latter always precedes active 
disease. 

Irritability is not a different vital property, 
as some writers have proclaimed, but a sen- 
sation disagreeable, which may relate to 
sensation direct, and to sensibility indirect 

Sensibility has a consciousness of what 
the sensation may be ; while sensation is 
blind and unconscious of the realm of a 
possible sensibility. 

These two vital properties have each great 
significance of purpose, quite distinct to be 
thought about in a great variety of relations ; 
yet so related that we are often required 
simultaneously to consider them jointly in 
the affairs of life. The term " senses," which 
becomes applicable to the field of sensibil- 
ity, cannot be substituted, and used legiti- 
mately in modification of the vital property 
sensation. 

This may seem like hair-splitting theory ; 
but, if language is entitled to any specific 
meaning in its application to inorganic 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 29 

science, it seems equally important to be 
thus consistent in its application to a far 
superior department of science. 

Theory has long been in disrepute, more 
because it has been so frequently in error, 
rather than out of place as a method appli- 
cable to a more correct aid to the compre- 
hension of a problem. Scientific research in 
the problems of organic force requires that 
special significance shall attach to certain 
phraseology, otherwise communication could 
not be profitably exchanged. 

In no department of erudition do we find 
such promiscuous and interchangeable appli- 
cation of terms of special significance as 
is to be found in the literature of medical 
science. If the subject of vital properties, as 
well as other relations in organic nature, are 
deemed worthy of consideration through 
special thought, it becomes important that 
the language to develop correct thought 
should blend with an approximate correct- 
ness to the greatest possible end. It is 



30 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE., 

not well to treat with too great contempt 
the importance of equally significant terms, 
in a science of the highest order, which 
involves the most delicate and subtle rela- 
tions that have a bearing on the fulfilment 
of the plan of life. 

Before proceeding to further mention of the 
vital properties so far considered, it is well 
briefly to allude to Instinct and Contrac- 
tility; after which to review what medical 
literature may have contributed pertaining 
to the two properties, sensibility and sen- 
sation ; and then proceed to further consid- 
eration of the distinct vital properties in their 
co-relation of duty. 

instinct. — Organic instinct is a vital prop- 
erty of life-ability without reason or intel- 
lect, which presides over the construction of 
the organic body, and also is installed com- 
mander in chief of the department of de- 
fence, as executed through the involuntary 
organic process. This property manifests its 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 31 

function and purpose in presiding over all 
material which comes within the field of 
vital jurisdiction. 

Nutritive material is used for organic con- 
struction, while material not nutritive, and 
foreign, is directed into the proper channels 
and eliminated. 

The ability of organic fulfilment, which uses 
certain material for constructive purpose, while 
other material is ejected, deserves a name 
as a special organic or vital property. It is 
not the will power of ability which presides 
and directs to the use of nutrient, or to the 
expelling of foreign material; but a decision 
and fulfilment of duty, which comes from an 
entirely different source. Therefore, with 
the human organism it can be truly and 
significantly said, that Sensibility presides 
over the voluntary life acts, — while In- 
stinct presides over the involuntary life acts. 
This distinction should ever receive due con- 
sideration when dealing with the problems 
of life. 



32 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

Contractility. — Contractility is that vital 
property manifested by the contraction and 
alternate relaxation of muscular fibre, thus 
producing motion. Sensibility may preside 
over voluntary contractility, while Instinct 
presides over involuntary contractility, as il- 
lustrated in the heart's action, and more spe- 
cially in the convulsive struggles subsequent 
to the presence of strychnia. Thus the vital 
property Contractility is largely, and in fact 
wholly, an invisible instrument of motion in 
the hands of Sensibility and Instinct. 

Let us now stop and review most criti- 
cally the premises and outlined duty we have 
attached to the several distinct and separate 
vital properties. Determine whether we have 
represented an ideal illustration, which may 
be found in duplicate with facts in organic 
nature. Determine whether our illustration 
of the several vital properties becomes sus- 
ceptible of demonstration and verification in 
harmony with the known facts, presented 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 



33 



and fulfilled through the instrumentality of 
organic life as manifested by the human liv- 
ing organism. Determine whether we have 
drawn the lines of distinction between the 
separate vital properties in harmony with the 
facts. Determine whether it is rational, rea- 
sonable, and indispensable, in the study of 
the total aggregate of life's problems, to 
make such division of unlike life functions 
as the only possible method for a consider- 
ation in aid of the comprehension of the 
fulfilment of the duties of life. 

If the total of ultimate life expressions, 
of organic force, are included and become 
truly represented in the four divisions of vital 
properties, we then have a basis for an eluci- 
dation of numerous problems in organic life. 
Who says that all problems are not sus- 
ceptible of explanation on this basis, from 
which we are enabled to recognize how 
prominent and co-related each department 
of vital property is in the problem under con- 
sideration? It is of the greatest importance 
3 



34 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

to determine the validity of this representa- 
tion of the vital properties. Our theory, ex- 
planation, and suggestive inference of applied 
treatment of disease, rest on this foundation. 
We shall be compelled to fall back for support 
on this basis of fundamental principles, to give 
emphasis to the methods of organic execution. 

Before proceeding further, let us determine 
whether or not we have represented correctly 
the vital properties expressed in human life. 
We again take up the subject of vital prop- 
erties, believing that we are all better pre- 
pared to consider the literature of record 
which refers to the first two mentioned. The 
vital properties Sensibility and Sensation 
involve such delicate premises of greatest 
importance, that we trust the reader will in- 
dulge us in giving sufficient attention to 
the subject. 

The function of Sensibility is defined in 
Prof. Robley Dunglison's Medical Dictionary 
as follows : — 

" Sensibility. The faculty of receiving impres- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 85 

sions, and having the consciousness of them. 
Bichat defines it as the property possessed by 
living bodies of receiving impressions, whether 
the individual be conscious of them or not. In 
the former case, where conscious, he calls the 
sensibility animal ; in the latter, where not, 
he terms it organic. This last is common to 
vegetables and animals, and presides over nu- 
trition/' 

It becomes evident that Professor Dungli- 
son adopts the definition of Bichat, by giving 
it such prominence. This definition seems 
most exceedingly mixed, although it is the 
official definition of record. This definition 
of the vital property Sensibility defines it 
very imperfectly, and at the same time makes 
a part of itself the function of Sensation. 

The language, " property possessed by liv- 
ing bodies of receiving impressions, whether 
the individual be conscious of them or not," 
implies that, when conscious, he calls such 
fact an expression of " animal sensibility " ; 
when not conscious, he calls such fact 
" organic sensibility." 



36 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

The definition further implies that organic 
sensibility " is common to vegetables and ani- 
mals, and presides over nutrition." In fact, 
this one vital property, Sensibility, is made to 
fulfil the duties which we have defined as im- 
plied in Sensibility, Sensation, and Instinct. 

The idea of a property in vegetables being 
called " organic sensibility " seems crude, to 
say the least. In this definition we have no 
defined line of distinction between those func- 
tions which are executed consciously and un- 
consciously. The term " impression " is here 
used with such expression of agency that it 
becomes important briefly to consider the true 
import of its application. Impression, in the 
sense here used, is not truly expressive of a 
something done, as the language seems to im- 
ply. What is fulfilled as an event, which is 
called an impression, is really no other event 
than a recognition, or perception, either by 
the sensibility or organic sensation of some 
new relation or contact of material entity. 

What is called in medical literature the 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 37 

making of an impression on the human or- 
ganism is not a something done to the or- 
ganism, but a recognition ly the organism of 
some new relation or contact. Such recog- 
nition may first take place through or by the 
consciousness, Sensibility ; or the recognition 
may in the second place become an event of 
Sensation, and sensibility later becomes con- 
scious of the sensation ; or the recognition 
may take place with the sensation, and such 
fact may not become of conscious knowledge 
to the sensibility. 

In illustration of the latter, we mention 
such incident as the taking of certain medi- 
cines in disguise, without knowledge of such 
fact until the sensation has developed into 
degrees of aggravating pain ; after which 
consciousness becomes aware of the sensa- 
tion of pain ; but not previously aware of a 
contact, or sensation of mild degree, which 
had yet failed to develop pain. We will men- 
tion a certain kind of contact fact, which 
has a dual method of becoming a conscious 



38 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

fact, and which is illustrated by forcing a 
needle-point into the skin. This fact may 
be known to the sensibility, or conscious- 
ness, through the special sense of sight ; or 
such fact may become known through the 
sensation (pain) thus caused, which sensa- 
tion becomes later known to the sensibility. 
A second party observing the fact knows of 
it only through his sensibility ; while the 
party of experience may know such fact 
through his sensibility directly, and, secondly, 
indirectly, through the consciousness of the 
sensation of pain. 

Thus all contact relations of recognized 
perception, which are not observed by the 
eye, become conscious recognitions through 
the recognition of the sensation, rather than 
the fact which caused the sensation. The 
function of vital property, manifested in life 
abilities which can recognize a fact at all 
distances, and possessed of intelligence, we 
call Sensibility, while that vital property of 
life ability which can recognize a fact only 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 39 

through immediate contact, and is without 
intelligence, we call Sensation. 

It seems to us that the differences of duty 
in the affairs of life imply such distinction 
of purpose that we cannot intelligently in- 
clude them within the limit of one vital prop- 
erty, and do justice to fact and required 
comprehension. 

We quote Professor Dunglison's definition 
of Sensation, which is expressed in the follow- 
ing language : " The consciousness or cogni- 
zance by the brain of an impression caused by 
an external body on the organs of the senses." 
This definition does not define sensation ; it 
only defines that the brain, or consciousness, 
is aware of the fact that there has been a 
sensation developed. Such sensation is said 
to have been caused by the contact of some 
external body " on the organs of the senses " ; 
while the fact is, in place of being necessarily 
in contact with the organs of the senses, — 
possibly the eye, — such contact might be 
with the organs of sensation. 



40 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE., 

In this definition more emphasis is given 
to the brain ability than any unlike abil- 
ity, which may distinguish sensation from 
sensibility. While it is true that sensibility 
may know what the sensation may be, yet 
consciousness forms no part ; sensation can 
exist when there is no sensibility for a possi- 
ble recognition. 

We have said that contractility was a vital 
property in the hands of both Sensibility and 
Instinct. One gives direction to voluntary 
contractility or motion ; the other, to invol- 
untary contractility or motion. Neither the 
Sensibility nor the Instinct executes the 
contractility, but either may authorize such 
activity. 

It is important to recognize that Sensation 
is always a prior incident of fact, which pre- 
cedes the instinctive order for a special exe- 
cution of Contractility or involuntary mo- 
tion, which co-relation is the ever interven- 
ing compound fact between cause and effect, 
— with the cause of disease and effects of 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 41 

medicine. There is a fact of presence, and a 
fact of sensation ; while Sensation may or 
may not precede a conscious mandate, which 
authorizes a voluntary Contractility. 

To illustrate the incident fact of a sensa- 
tion, where it is not possible to involve the 
brain function Sensibility, we mention that 
a decapitated frog can be induced to jump 
by making a sensation irritable with a needle ; 
while he cannot stop jumping until exhausted, 
because he has no head, or sensibility, to call 
a halt. 

Professor Dunglison's definitions of Sensi- 
bility and Sensation seem each to include 
the other, to such a degree that no dis- 
tinct difference is made to appear. The 
eminent lexicographer, Noah Webster, de- 
fines Sensibility : " The quality or condition 
of being sensible ; capacity to feel or perceive, 
applied to animal bodies, — as a frozen limb 
loses its sensibility." The two vital proper- 
ties of Sensibility and Sensation are thus 
made to appear as one. The same authority 



42 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

defines Sensation as " an impression made 
upon the mind through the medium of the 
organs of sense, " — which is quite simi- 
lar to that given by Prof. Dunglison, who 
defines Instinct : " The action of the living 
principle, whenever manifestly directing its 
operations to the health or reproduction of a 
living frame. The law of instinct is, conse- 
quently, the law of the living principle ; and 
instinctive actions are the actions of the liv- 
ing principle. Instinct is natural ; reason 
is acquired." This definition is substantially 
correct. This vital property authorizes ac- 
tion, but does not act itself. It is more the 
grand dictator of ceremony, or superintendent. 
The question will naturally arise, who 
shall be acknowledged as authority in this 
department of definition, whether appointed 
by popular vote, or determined by ability 
to discriminate and represent most cor- 
rectly the precise fulfilment of separate 
properties in organic nature. We must ad- 
here to our own definitions until otherwise 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 43 

persuaded, rather than those of record. We 
base our theory on the outlined definition we 
have given to the separate vital properties. 
We are dealing with a department of nature 
which has been represented and defined so 
broadly in its phraseology, that it is exceed- 
ingly difficult to know what one is really 
thinking about, while we have a department 
of such delicate relations of fulfilment that 
far greater method is required to do justice 
to its facts than is required in the depart- 
ments of inorganic force. We are thus re- 
quired to give specific attention to the proper 
defining and elucidation of the several vital 
properties, to enable us to pursue the subject 
to the end with that consistency of relation 
which shall fulfil a representation of the 
nature and law of organic force, in duplicate 
with facts expressed through the organic life 
ability. 

To further illustrate the undefined thought 
of the functions of the different vital proper- 
ties by medical men of eminence, we quote 



44 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

from an address delivered by Prof. Thomas 
H. Huxley, before the British Scientific Asso- 
ciation : — 

" The first proposition that you find definitely 
and clearly stated by Descartes is one which 
will sound very familiar to you at the present 
day. It is the view which he was first, so far 
as I know, to state, not only definitely, but upon 
scientific grounds, i that the brain is the organ 
of sensation, of thought, and of emotion.' If 
it should happen to a man that by accident his 
spinal cord is broken, he becomes paralyzed 
below the point of injury ; his limbs would be 
paralyzed, and they would be insensible. Con- 
sciousness, so far as we can have knowledge of 
it, is entirely abolished below the injury." 

The brain is here made the organ of sensa- 
tion, and the limbs expressive of conscious- 
ness. Such is a common error in medical 
literature, which is presumed to represent 
the language of science. It harmonizes 
with the dictionary requirement, but it does 
not harmonize or blend with the facts of 
Nature, which such language is presumed 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 45 

to represent. Should a professor of inor- 
ganic science use the terms " attraction of 
gravitation" and "cohesion" in such inter- 
changeable manner, it would be exceedingly 
difficult to know what he was talking about. 
In the department of medical science precise- 
ness of expression is of far more importance, 
because it involves in many instances very 
important practical relations of possibility of 
continued life. In illustration, it becomes 
important with a view to the conservation of 
vital energy, in the practice of medicine, to 
have a common and correct understanding 
of the meaning and application of language. 
Science requires a preciseness which shall 
contribute to our comprehension a positive 
idea, whether in administering a medicine 
we are transferring supplementary energy, or 
engaged in guiding the vital energy in the 
most possible economic manner. Without 
a clear, correct, and well defined idea of the 
true import of the separate vital properties, 
no one can have a distinct comprehension 



46 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

of the principles of a medical science. With- 
out a knowledge of such principles and their 
application, no one is qualified to take the 
best advantage of the possibilities provided 
for the practice of a medical science. Such 
is true with other sciences, and why not true 
with the department of organic science ? 

We will now return to a brief considera- 
tion in outline of what is implied in the 
fulfilment of co-operative methods of vital 
agency, in the more general application of 
the combined special properties, as a practi- 
cal activity in direction of organic duty. 

In the execution of the plan of organic life 
as based on the four vital properties, Sensi- 
bility is held responsible for the presence of 
kind and quantity of material which may 
come within contact relations with the do- 
main of organic life, waiving accidents and 
uncontrollable circumstances, thus getting to 
the end of voluntary relations, which it seems 
important to consider further under a special 
head. Now, in default of properly applied 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 47 

sensibility, there exists a compensating ability 
in the name of Instinct, which will appear 
more prominent at a later period, which will 
direct application to the disposal of all such 
material that may be already out of the field 
of direct aid through sensibility, and wholly 
within the field of instinctive jurisdiction. 
Thus the usable material for organic con- 
structive purpose — all relations being nor- 
mally in balance — is conducted through the 
progressive changes of assimilation to become 
a part of the endowed life structure, and the 
surplus nutrient material is expelled. More- 
over, that material not nutritive, and not of 
possible use for organic constructive purpose, 
is taken in charge by instinct, with an ap- 
plied activity to the process of elimination 
or expulsion, either in a manner common to 
ordinary elimination, or a vital expression 
of special resentment. 

All instinctive actions are either physio- 
logical or pathological, — one department 
relating to usable material, the other to non- 



48 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

usable. Not only does instinct attempt to 
correct the errors and omissions of sensi- 
bility, together with the many unavoidable 
transgressions, — which may frequently be 
accomplished, illustrating what is called 
Nature's remedial process, or vis medicatrix 
naturce, — but again in many instances when 
instinct comes to such relief, the instinct 
fails to proceed in harmony with economic 
vital expenditure and structural safety, thus 
instituting activities which become dangerous 
to life, requiring to be diverted or retarded 
by means devised by sensibility, through 
medical relations. Thus, when pathological 
vital action has been successful in removing 
said non-usable material without interference 
from sensibility, such feat is recognized as 
an exhibition of vis medicatrix naturce. But 
when said pathological vital action does not 
make a safe success of removal without the 
aid of medical relation, the pathological action 
is recognized as disease. Pathological vital 
action is disease. There are no other actions 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 49 

of the living organism except physiological, 
pathological, and voluntary. 

The cause and continuance of disease may 
be from material introduced from without, or 
material obnoxious resulting from previous 
pathological action, or chemical product. The 
nature of disease in general is implied in the 
general function of pathological vital action. 
The nature of special disease is the nature 
of the special pathological vital action under 
consideration. 

Instinct presides over all material within 
the vital jurisdiction. Thus the law of in- 
stinct is the law of the living principle act- 
ing physiologically in relation to nutritive 
material for constructive purpose. Also the 
law of instinct is the law of the living prin- 
ciple acting pathologically in relation to 
material non-usable, or not of possible use 
for constructive purpose. Organic contin- 
uance requires that such material be re- 
moved. Instinct is without reason, and is 
a willing worker. 

4 



50 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

We must recognize that instinct corrects 
some of the errors of sensibility in the re- 
moval of non-usable material ; while sensibil- 
ity must quite frequently, in conditions of 
disease, come to the rescue of instinct and 
guide to more desirable results. Thus Na- 
ture has provided a double compensating abil- 
ity in relation to vital process, whereby each 
of the two vital properties Sensibility and 
Instinct may give aid to the practical in- 
completeness of the other. 

The vital property represented through sen- 
sibility contributes aid to organic construc- 
tion by the supply of nutritive material. 
Sensibility may erroneously, carelessly, or 
accidentally contribute material of no use, 
and obnoxious. In such instance instinct, 
presiding over such presence, sets the or- 
ganic machinery into activity to eliminate 
such material. Success may be of early 
event, or prolonged, and receive the name of 
" disease " ; or the organism may die from 
exhaustion of vital energy, or injury to struc- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE* 51 

ture from such struggle. The function of 
Sensation becomes instrumental in convey- 
ing the fact of all material presence to the 
commander in chief, Instinct, which, acting 
as a board of decision, determines what shall 
be done with said material. Thus Sensibility 
contributes supply of material ; Instinct builds 
the organic body, and keeps it in repair 
through the aid of involuntary contractility, 
which is pressed into service in connection 
with other process. When constructed, this 
organic body as a whole becomes an engine 
of activity under the control of sensibility, 
w T hich property becomes operative of volun- 
tary contractility. 

Returning to the subject of pathological 
vital action, — the action of instinct, — we 
may remark that it is the duty of sensibility 
to have a watchful oversight of instinct in 
the affairs of disease. If Instinct is doing 
the best which circumstances permit with 
the least danger to the organic system, it 
becomes the duty of Sensibility to withhold 



52 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

interference, and let properly directed in- 
stinct work out the cure ; otherwise, guide 
with appropriate appliance to the best possible 
result. 

Thus, dependent on the fact that instinct 
is not a department of reason, those premises 
are provided in Nature which make it neces- 
sary there shall be a medical profession of 
special scientific culture in the department 
of organic force. While we recognize that 
certain material may become a cause for pa- 
thological vital action, or disease, we must 
recognize also that material medicine be- 
comes a cause for pathological vital action. 
Thus, when pathological vital action, which 
we call disease, is being manifested in a di- 
rection we wish to change or modify, we use 
a certain medicine which has been deter- 
mined by experiment to become a cause for 
pathological vital action to be modified or 
differently expressed. In place of medicine 
acting and having " active properties," medi- 
cine does not act ; its presence only becomes 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 58 

a cause for a vital act. Consequently medi- 
cine has no " active properties." What is 
called medical action is no more or less than 
pathological vital action. The modus operandi 
of medicine consists in no other phenomena 
than pathological vital action. 

The man of practice may inquire, " Of 
what profit is this argumentative distinction ? 
We are seeking results." If the practice is 
right, why not have the philosophy, or theory, 
right ? It is certainly more commendable to 
intellectual pursuit, in matters of science, to 
have language, thought, and fact in unison. 
But we will again take up this subject later. 

We must not ignore the practical fact that 
pathological vital action is an expenditure of 
vital energy. Said Professor Clark of the 
New York College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, " Every dose of medicine diminishes 
the vitality of the patient." Said the ven- 
erable Prof. James M. Smith, M. D., "Drugs 
do not cure diseases ; diseases are cured by 
the vis medicatrix naturce" 



54 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

Vis medicatrix naturce is pathological vital 
action, and pathological vital action expels 
the cause of disease. And this action, while 
removing the cause of disease, is called the 
disease. Pathological vital action is disease. 
Thus when vis medicatrix naturce, or patho- 
logical vital action, executes the removal of 
the cause, the action called disease stops, and 
the active disease has vanished. As one 
writer has without thought remarked, the 
" disease has gone to seek other victims." 

This may be the place to call attention to 
the general mention in medical literature of 
"the active cause of disease." The term 
" active cause " is not of compound relation. 
There can be no " active cause." The cause 
of disease may be certain material ; and when 
said material gets within the limits of vital 
jurisdiction, a special vital act is expressed in 
relation to said material. The cause may be 
dead material, while the u active " is a func- 
tion of the living organism. The cause of 
disease does not act ; it is only cause. Dis- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 55 

ease does not migrate ; it is only the cause 
of disease that travels. " Active cause of 
disease " and " active medical property " are 
twins, whose father is named " delusion." 
The property sensation, or organic perception, 
may communicate a fact of material presence 
to instinct, which is responded to by an ac- 
tivity of significant violence ; which activity, 
as an activity only, becomes the first evidence 
to the sensibility that wrong material rela- 
tions exist within the domain of organic life. 
Such fact is illustrated when strychnia has 
been unconsciously introduced within the 
vital premises ; also, with various causes of 
disease. 

Thus there may be a sensation to which 
instinct responds with such degree of in- 
voluntary convulsion, through the active 
property contractility, as to exhaust vital 
energy unto death. In many cases sensi- 
bility can adopt measures to modify instinct- 
ive activity. When sensibility cannot thus 
interpose, instinct holds first place, and may 



56 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE., 

inspire activities which exhaust all vital 
energy. Sensation may have its relations 
with sensibility, while at other times sensa- 
tion is in close communion with instinct ; or 
both may at the same time be involved in 
the affairs of life. 

In illustration of the application of thought 
— not practice — to the disease problem from 
the basis of vital properties, we have to con- 
sider the cause, and of what degree of possi- 
ble sensation, of irritability, such cause may 
produce ; also what activities will be devel- 
oped by instinct, and what sensibility may be 
required to effect, in guiding such activity ; 
also how such modification can best be ac- 
complished with the least possible expendi- 
ture of vital energy. This last consideration 
is of greatest importance. Life is quite too 
frequently sacrificed from improper appliance. 
Medical practice is not a supply of supplemen- 
tary energy, but quite the opposite. In the 
choice of measures used there are premises 
for the exhibition of skill, — which makes a 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 57 

knowledge of the law of the " living principle " 
an indispensable accomplishment. Legitimate 
medical practice does not consist in silencing 
pathological vital action in all cases. Patho- 
logical vital action is for a purpose, and it is 
important that we comprehend its purpose, 
and render aid to its desired accomplishment 
of purpose. 

We will now call attention brieflv to some 
of the general laws of applied vital energy. 

We have a broad and very intricate future 
in detail of the various relations which our 
premises suggest, with the many problems 
of disease and medicinal relations, of which 
but little mention is of profit at this time. 
The more definite outlined plan is of more 
immediate importance. 



DEPARTMENT OF ORGANIC LAW. 

r I M3E first general law of organic vital 
■*• purpose is implied in the constructive 
duty comprised in the transforming of food 
material into living organic structure, and 
the elimination or expelling of the worn out 
tissue of dead material. Such acts are phys- 
iological vital activities, in relation to food 
material in certain quantities. This depart- 
ment is treated quite exhaustively to the 
minutest of detail in the text-books on phys- 
iology, and requires little or no mention. 
Food material in large quantities cannot al- 
ways be used for physiological purpose ; and 
pathological vital action may come to the res- 
cue, and expel by special process the surplus 
quantity. Thus both physiological and path- 
ological vital action may relate to food mate- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 59 

rial, while physiological vital action cannot 
be expressed in relation to material which is 
foreign, or not possible of assimilation. All 
special vital action in relation to material not 
assimilable is pathological. No other line of 
distinction can rationally be inferred. 

The second law of vital purpose is implied 
in a pathological vital activity manifested in 
relation to material not possible of assimila- 
tion, or usable for purposes of organic con- 
struction. This law of vital purpose and 
applied ability is required to correct to a lim- 
ited extent certain material relations within 
the domain and field of organic life, which 
instinct superintends. This department could 
be quite appropriately called the army and 
navy, or powers active, not for construct- 
ive purpose, but powers for defence, which 
execute the duties of throwing out of the 
organic citadel that material w T hich has no 
legitimate right of occupancy, and whose 
presence interferes with the functions and 



60 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

duties of harmonious organic life. The 
instinct presiding has complete supervision 
of both material for constructive purpose, 
and expulsion of material not possible of 
assimilation. 

If no such function of life ability became a 
part of our being, in a brief time we should 
become so mechanically obstructed that or- 
ganic life functions would cease to continue. 
The total included in detail of such variety 
of application of pathological vital action 
would be sufficient for volumes far more ex- 
tensive than is found in the text-books of 
physiology. Our text-books give but little 
space to pathological vital action, but very 
much is recorded of what is called pathologi- 
cal anatomy, or product of pathological vital 
action, together with description of appear- 
ances of pathological action. In fact, patho- 
logical action is disease; and such phenomena 
may produce morbid anatomy, or may not. 

Those disturbances called disease furnish 
a great field of phenomena for the study of 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 61 

the law of pathological vital action. No one 
can define the difference between the so 
called " action of poisons," in disease, and 
" active medical property," in distinction 
from pathological vital action. There is no 
difference. All of the former terms are mis- 
nomers, while the latter is the real and true 
expression of the principle involved. The 
belief in a medical power, or " active medical 
property," gives wrong direction to research 
in aid of the principles and problems of a 
medical science, while in the department of 
pathological vital action is found that law 
and principle of organic activity exceedingly 
more useful to the physician than the de- 
partment of physiology. The former quite 
frequently needs a physician of superior sen- 
sibility to superintend with intelligent watch- 
fulness that department of instinct which is 
urging to activity those pathological feats 
called disease, while physiological vital ac- 
tions with a patient have little use for a phy- 
sician. Thus is it with pathological vital 



62 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

action, or disease, which is inspired by in- 
stinct, and often requires the interference of 
sensibility to guide it, and of which much 
would be required to complete a course on 
theory and practice. 

There yet remain other premises to con- 
sider, which have not appeared, and which 
speak volumes in support of a manifest wis- 
dom in behalf of a one more resource which 
has been provided to enable us to have a one 
more chance for a possible continuance of 
extended life. Thus we introduce and let the 
thought come up, by asking the following 
question : — 

Provided that instinct is really running 
riot with pathological vital action to the ex- 
haustion or end of the fund of life, even unto 
death, and no sensibility is available or pos- 
sible to make application to divert or other- 
wise deploy this morbid vital activity into 
lesser dangerous relations, — is there, we ask, 
a one more provision in Nature for a forlorn 
hope to be found in the provisions of instinct, 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 63 

to compensate for what sensibility cannot do 
to delay the immediate prospective fatality 
thus directed, by instinct ? To this question 
the reply is, Yes. Instinct has a special 
quality, or ability, to meet such emergency 
in many instances. Such is found under 
the head, or in that division, we shall call the 
third division of general law, applied to the 
self-preservation of the organic body. 

The third general law of application is 
more an ability to stop instinctive activity 
than otherwise. It is a modification of patho- 
logical activity into a silence, or suspension, 
of active measures. This vital purpose of 
modified instinct fulfils such an important 
relation, that we are required to consider this 
department in a division separate, implied in 
a third law of vital purpose in aid of self- 
preservation. It is a silence, or toleration, 
for a purpose ; and that purpose is self-pres- 
ervation. It is expressive of a measure in- 
volving important wisdom in the plan of life. 



64 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

This third division seems to be implied in 
a toleration; that is, certain activities have 
been occasioned from a certain cause, and 
while the cause may yet remain, the activity 
has ceased. Or, in other words, instinct has 
ceased to inspire with activity after a period, 
— that activity which was early inaugurated 
from causes which yet continue to remain. 
Thus the morbid activity which has a suffi- 
cient cause to be perpetuated unto exhaustion 
becomes in many instances suspended, and 
the presence of the remaining cause is tol- 
erated without special activity in relation 
thereto, — thus husbanding the vital fund, and 
giving a longer lease to life. This feature 
and fact of presentment belongs to the depart- 
ment of instinct. It is instinct in a special 
direction. It does not apply in all cases, — 
far from it ; but it does apply in many cases. 

This principle, or toleration, of cause with- 
out activity, is of frequent incident, and is 
well illustrated in the fact that a child resid- 
ing in a miasmatic region, or in the filth of a 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 65 

city, may escape active disturbance of disease ; 
while a child from a rural district brought 
into such relations might be taken suddenly 
sick. The same principle seems to be im- 
plied and illustrated in Pasteur's method, so 
far as it becomes a fact of protection from 
primary cause. When medicine, as the phy- 
sicians sometimes say, has ceased to act, or 
exhibit " active principles," such fact is due 
to this principle of toleration. 

We remember on a certain occasion of be- 
ing present when a Professor of Materia 
Medica had for his lecture before the class 
the subject of " Ergot and its Powers." 
While on the premises we made the following 
note of language used : — 

"The same preparation of ergot often acts 
finely for a period, but may lose its power, or 
it certainly seems to, although the bottle has 
remained corked and properly cared for ; and 
how that power escaped, or why it ceased to act, 
is a problem which will wait till medical science 
can explore deeper those mysteries which sur- 
round us." 

5 



66 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

The fulfilment of this principle of tolera- 
tion becomes the intervening condition which 
preserves the life in some acute and self- 
limited disease. In fact, it is the principle 
in Nature which makes it possible that cer- 
tain disease mav be self-limited, and also has 
much to do in determining the duration of 
other acute disease. Indeed, in very many 
instances, it is the condition to be arti- 
ficially induced by the physician, rather 
than to deploy vital activity in a different 
direction, — to husband the vital energies, 
or modify dangerous activity, which is so 
frequently accomplished with sedative medi- 
cine. It is the principle involved in the 
interim of relapse in many cases of febrile 
disease, as well as the existing condition in 
many cases of protracted convalescence, and 
modified phenomena of disease. 

From the foregoing premises, implying 
the nature of vital power, or organic force, 
of separate special vital properties, and their 
co-relations to purpose, together with the 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 67 

three departments for the exhibition of 
applied law of organic method, we have a 
plan of life implying fundamental principles 
for the development of the doctrinal subject 
of a theory and practice of medical science. 

Chronic disease is very frequently due to 
a presentation of cause, in small quantity and 
of continuous application, — many times of 
such small quantity that little or no special 
disturbance is noticeable, — while a condi- 
tion of toleration develops in relation to such 
presence, to that decree that such material 
may exist in quantity sufficient to be the cause 
of special disturbance of great magnitude, 
with one whose system had not thus become 
tolerant ; yet, with the one tolerant, we fail 
to recognize much trouble of apparent im- 
portance, until serious organic complications 
are developed. Such may be illustrated in 
the sequela of malarial poison and organic 
disease due to the use of spirituous liquors. 

Malignant growth is always preceded by 
an abnormal sensation, and frequently of 



68 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

conscious existence. It becomes important 
many times that we attach proper significance 
to continued abnormal sensation ; while a 
better knowledge of histology is obtained 
through a study of the law of development, 
than from results of the law; also, a more 
effective treatment may have a reasonable 
expectancy. 

In such incident we recognize that there 
has been sufficient abnormal sensation to per- 
vert the development of organic structure ; 
yet the sensibility of the individual of ex- 
perience was conscious of but little degree 
of abnormal sensation, until serious condi- 
tions were made to prevail. Again, such 
incident illustrates that reason may be far 
superior to experience. Under the law, reason 
may and can have good cause to anticipate 
such event, while experience comes too late 
to be of great value to the person of experi- 
ment, who long presumed that such material 
agreed with his constitution. 

It is not to be implied that the brief men- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 69 

tion that pathological vital action is disease 
does justice to the subject of disease. Such 
statement only puts certain facts and actions 
in a true relation, while there remain many 
complex facts which require a far more ex- 
tended consideration. Disease is an organic 
condition, in which physiological vital action 
is more or less imperfectly executed, while 
pathological vital action is being specially 
active in a more or less variety of relations, 
that would require a complete treatise on 
special disease to do it justice. 

The germ theory of disease as presented is 
an incomplete aggregation of ideas of frac- 
tional relation, to which we shall again refer 
later. 

The first duties of instinctive supervision 
are implied in the oversight given to nutri- 
tive material in the process of organic con- 
struction, which constitutes the life work of 
this department of applied function for the 
perpetuation of organic life. 



70 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

The second division of duty, executed 
through instinct, consists in directing special 
activities in relation to material or conditions 
which are not of normal relation. Sensation 
recognizes and communicates the fact to in- 
stinct, which authorizes activities executed by 
contractility. Now the presentment thus im- 
plied is precisely what is presented and ex- 
pressed in medical literature as the " making 
of an impression on the organism, which is 
responded to by a reaction." Such incident 
of phenomena is not a " reaction," but a first 
action, in response to a sensation, rather than 
a previous action. 

Foreign material of objectionable quality 
within the citadel of life is generally recog- 
nized in medical literature as an agent which 
has done something, and such application is 
also made to medicinal relations. The medi- 
cine is made an agent which does something, 
an agent which acts, an agent expressive of 
power or " active medical property," which 
is said to make an "impression," which is 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 71 

responded to by " reaction." In medical 
literature, if no response becomes expressive 
from such relation, this agent is presumed to 
have lost its power, or become inert. We 
cannot escape the inference that in the affairs 
of life, executed by organic force, medical 
science of acceptance has given but little 
credit to the organic ability, except in the 
performance of physiological duties. And 
with this department discovery is fast super- 
seding Nature in recognizing that many " ac- 
tive properties," or powers, exist in drugs 
which execute physiological action. In fact, 
many students of medical science are experi- 
menting with drugs with a view to discover 
such ability ; and great success has been 
reported. 

The grand strides in scientific research 
seem destined to reveal possibilities which 
will allow the physician to dispense entirely 
with organic force. It is becoming the aim 
of the alleged foremost journals, in keeping 
abreast with the times, to give particular 



72 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

attention to the " physiological action of old 
and new remedies," while leaders in schools 
of medical instruction have made " some new 
observations on the physiological action of 
the mercurials," — thus illustrating that in 
no age, and with no department of scientific 
research, has the human mind given such 
exhibit of serious delusion as we find in the 
literature of alleged contribution to medical 
science. What vagaries of thought are yet 
destined to become adopted is a serious de- 
partment to contemplate when brought into 
relations of experimental procedure with the 
fund of life. 

Reasoning about such premises from the 
basis of experiment and appearances, with- 
out established law, is quite like the early 
reasoning about astronomy from appearances. 
While great credit is scored for such achieve- 
ment, there is a boast of u exact science of 
practical value not to be regarded in the light 
of a beautiful but useless theory." An ac- 
cepted state of intellectual scientific pursuit 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 73 

which ignores the use of theory, or compre- 
hension of the nature of cause and effect, 
may do for a novelist, but is a sad and 
lamentable infliction when made applicable to 
an invalid existence. 

Physiological action is a phenomenon of 
organic force acting in relation to nutrient 
material for constructive purpose, or the 
elimination of such material later. Said 
Professor Gregory of Edinburgh, " Medical 
doctrines are for the most part stark, star- 
ing nonsense." Said Dr. Bostock, author of 
a History of Medicine : " Our actual infor- 
mation or knowledge of disease does not 
increase in proportion to our experimental 
practice. Every dose of medicine given is a 
blind experiment upon the vitality of the 
patient." 

Of that department which we allege to be 
executed by pathological vital activity, ac- 
cepted medical doctrine has given credit 
quite largely to an ability or agency of " ac- 
tive property " belonging to dead material, or 



74 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

more frequently to material which never even 
had life. Such is the only inference of the 
language. Such a plan seems crude, to say 
the least, of thus endowing ability, although 
such is the plan of accepted philosophy, and 
it has long appeared to afford general satis- 
faction. Whether such philosophy will be 
surrendered witli a less reluctance than the 
doQtrines of pre-Copernican acceptance, will 
be determined later. The human mind gets 
into channels, and thought is the result of an 
education, which might be made as easy to 
be right as wrong, and vice versa. Some can 
escape from the convictions of a first educa- 
tion, while others cannot. Says Herbert 
Spencer : " In my earlier days I made the 
foolish supposition that conclusive proofs 
would change beliefs ; but experience has 
long since dissipated my faith in men's ra- 
tionality." The question may arise later, 
whether we owe more allegiance to the pres- 
ervation of educational dignity than to the 
preservation of the laity. 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 75 

In the enigma of life it seems that there 
exist four vital properties of organic force, 
and that Sensibility may direct voluntary 
motion, while Instinct directs the invol- 
untary ; that Contractility executes motion, 
while Sensation executes the function or per- 
ception of immediate material contact, rela- 
tive to which instinct may find cause to 
direct a special involuntary activity, and sen- 
sibility find cause to direct voluntary activ- 
ity relative to the conscious sensation. All 
these qualities of vital ability have special 
significance in the affairs of life ; and while 
we cannot escape the recognition of such 
separate unlike functions, we cannot get be- 
hind to a " more previous," but we must 
begin with such knowledge. 

It may not appear wise, safe, or prudent 
for instinct to inaugurate such activities as 
frequently become manifest ; but we must 
keep in mind that instinct is not intellect ; 
and while instinct may often appear to direct 
very unwisely, this department can and does 



76 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE., 

direct actions which practically become wise 
in their achievement of purpose. The ability 
given to instinct is an ability that within it- 
self cannot exercise discrimination. It is an 
ability that may do practically right, or may 
do practically wrong. Yet no one can but 
admire the grand plan of life, of which it 
would be extremely difficult to suggest im- 
provement, — wherein is included the fact 
that instinct corrects some errors of sensibil- 
ity, and executes a great variety of pathologi- 
cal feats without aid from sensibility ; yet in 
emergency sensibility superintends instinct, 
and directs more safely its applied measures 
in support of organic preservation. Thus 
we have in the several distinct vital proper- 
ties a complete whole, which is wonderful to 
contemplate in support of expressed wisdom 
emanating from the laboratory of the Great 
Architect. It becomes emphatically sug- 
gestive that no department of erudition can 
equal in its achievements such reward to 
mental industry in fulfilment of scientific 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 77 

accomplishments, applicable to the practice 
of medicine most beneficially, as is revealed 
through a knowledge of the several vital 
properties and laws of organic activity. 

Before closing this chapter, we desire to 
mention, in connection with a first cause for 
a pathological vital action, the possibility of 
a development of secondary causes that may 
further contribute to aggravation of abnormal 
sensation and subsequent pathological action. 
Such secondary cause can be made to exist 
with a condition of abnormal heat, in asso- 
ciation with the primary cause. Increased 
temperature may be in partnership with joint 
total cause, in relation to which instinct di- 
rects a larger influx of blood, thus developing 
what is called inflammation, it may be to a 
local point, or an organ, perhaps the lungs. 
Associated with all acute disease, pathologi- 
cal vital action develops more or less in- 
creased temperature of the blood, which in 
itself becomes an addition, and a secondary 



78 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

cause of frequent serious importance, that 
requires watchful attention. In the treat- 
ment of disease, too little attention to such 
cause becomes a dereliction of duty difficult 
to excuse. 

We now trust that the primary premises 
have been sufficiently outlined to make ap- 
plication or illustration of the vital theory, 
as expressed in the phenomena of special 
disease. 



ERUPTIVE FEVERS. 

\li 7HEN we take into account what is 
* * required to be accomplished in a 
variety of eruptive febrile disease, — namely, 
the elimination of an increased total of dis- 
integrated tissue and developed poisonous 
pathological product, together with the fact 
that the skin is the great eliminating organ 
of such tissue and product, and the outlet of 
greatest safety, — we are confronted with a 
mechanical fact which militates against such 
possibility to a dangerous degree. The in- 
stinctive effort to eliminate through the skin 
sends such a volume of blood into the capil- 
laries, that sufficient pressure is made on the 
millions of pores to collapse them so as me- 
chanically to shut the door to all possibility 
of escape. The increased heat in the skin in 



80 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

contact with the numerous nerve extremi- 
ties becomes the abnormal fact recognized in 
irritable sensation as a cause secondary, to 
which instinct responds with persistent de- 
termination of blood, thus closing the nu- 
merous emunctories against escape of the 
deleterious material so important to be ex- 
pelled. Thus heat alone may be the cause 
of death in the early stage of eruptive fevers. 
The death line is just beyond a certain de- 
gree of heat, which is not the same with 
each person. 

Now, the practical problem comes up, — 
and how explainable? — How shall w r e open 
the million of pores, or how shall we prevent 
death from heat early, and how shall we 
prevent death later, from the cause of a too 
great quantity of obnoxious material ? What 
fulfils one purpose also fulfils the other. 

But how shall we reduce the temperature ? 
Before we proceed to make reply, let us con- 
sider the method — which, we regret to say, 
is quite too often adopted — of giving hot 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 81 

drinks, and supplying artificial heat to make 
the patient " sweat," as such method is ex- 
plained. The fact that extreme heat already 
present from organic method prevents indi- 
rectly the possibility to " sweat," fails to be 
recognized with due consideration. To in- 
duce perspiration, or opening of the pores, 
the mechanical problem, or fact, requires 
that we reduce the superficial volume of 
capillary fulness. To accomplish such pur- 
pose we must reduce the temperature. Shall 
we reduce the temperature by loading the 
organism down with such kind of medicine 
that vital activitv cannot act sufficientlv to 
develop heat, thus placing our selected rem- 
edy outside our reach and control, and at 
the same time adding more material for 
further subsequent tax on vital ability to 
remove ? Such would not be an exhibition 
of conservation of vital energy, but quite 
similar to balancing a bag of corn on a 
horse's back by placing a stone in the oppo- 
site end. Such is not to be advised when 

6 



82 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE., 

better methods may become practical. If 
possible, we should adopt such a method to 
reduce temperature as would occasion the 
instinctive action to fulfil the best purpose 
with the least expenditure of vital energy. 
Our method should be as much as possible 
under our immediate control, with a view to 
conservation of vital energy and immediate 
modification. It has long been our practice? 
with a view to reduce superficial temperature, 
and thus diminish the cause which contributes 
to capillary congestion, — particularly with 
delayed exanthemata in both scarlatina and 
rubeola, attended with rapid pulse and high 
temperature, — to put the patient in a wet 
sheet pack, give an abundance of cold water, 
and open the windows, — most decidedly 
to be adopted in cases of severity. Such 
treatment is accepted by the patient with 
feelings expressive of gratitude, and is soon 
followed by the desired result, although 
the attendants are liable to anticipate great 
danger. 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 83 

Custom has long been permitted to dictate 
methods, rather than the safer and more 
effectual means suggested through the prin- 
ciples of an applied science. So important 
is this treatment as a life-saving method from 
early death often times, that we desire to give 
special emphasis to such consideration. 1 

It is not essential that extreme cold appli- 
cations be used ; the wet sheet of agreeable 
temperature becomes a sufficient conductor 
of heat when changed frequently, and not 
applied with such long continuance as to be 
productive of retained heat. With scarlatina, 
the keeping of the superficial heat diminished 
early, with such reduced volume of capillaries 
that the pores will remain open to allow the 
early and continuous escape of the accumu- 
lating poisonous product, will be of great 
advantage as a prophylactic against glandu- 
lar swellings and inflammation of the throat. 
The soluble products of pathological action 

1 Read what is said on the treatment of scarlatina in 
Naphey's " Medical Therapeutics." 



84 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. - 

become secondary causes for continued disease 
of more or less severity, and of blood poison, 
which should ever be accommodated with a 
door for escape. Avoid cathartics, and hold 
bits of ice in the mouth to protect mucous 
membranes. 

We have sometimes thought that medical 
practice was conducted too much with a view 
to paralyze or suppress vital activity, rather 
than the keeping of such activity in relations 
which could best execute the cure, — thus 
becoming instrumental in retaining the exist- 
ing cause, protracting convalescence, and de- 
velopment later of chronic invalidism. Said 
Professor Barker, of the New York Medical 
College, some years ago : " The drugs which 
are administered for the cure of scarlet fever 
and measles kill far more than those diseases 
do." A practice of medicine should be based 
on the solved problem of the nature of or- 
ganic force implied in the nature of the par- 
ticular disease, — what is required to be done, 
and how it can best be accomplished with the 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 85 

least expenditure of vital energy. To give 
medicine without a clear idea of the nature 
of the problem too frequently becomes of 
serious detriment to the patient. It fre- 
quently becomes a duty of greater importance 
indefinitely to postpone medical treatment 
rather than make such appliance. Seek to 
comprehend what is required, and how the 
organism can best accomplish such purpose, 
• — remembering that it is the vital energy 
which executes all the doing, and that medi- 
cine never acts, but becomes cause only to 
modify vital acts. 



PNEUMONIA. 

T^URTHER to illustrate the application of 
•** a theory which in our opinion is entitled 
to respect, in being consistent with cause and 
effect and phenomena, — also with method 
of treatment and results, — we will make ap- 
plication of it to the disease of pneumonia. 
We must consider the cause ; what becomes 
consequent to such cause, and how expressed; 
how the cause may become multiplied ; how 
the cause may be diminished by treatment; 
how life may be prolonged to an existing 
condition of instinctive toleration of sur- 
roundings, — together with the display and 
verification of the function of the several 
vital properties involved. 

Starting from the basis of the several de- 
fined vital properties, we recognize that the 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 87 

phenomena of activity is in fulfilment of 
special action, directed by instinct. For the 
exhibition of a special activity there must be, 
or exist, some special cause; there must al- 
ways in conditions of disease exist a previous 
abnormal sensation. This sensation may or 
may not be of conscious recognition. The 
first new fact, or vital condition, which pre- 
cedes the ushering in of disease, must exist 
in an abnormal sensation. Disease cannot be 
made to exist without a previous primary 
abnormal sensation. Such sensation may be 
caused by a great variety of material con- 
tact, mechanical pressure on nerve extremity, 
heat or cold. The elimination of certain 
poisonous soluble products of pathological 
vital action of previous disease through the 
lungs may become a cause of abnormal sen- 
sation to the nerves of lung tissue. In the 
name of cause for pneumonia there must ex- 
ist in the region of lung tissue, with nerve 
extremity, either a material cause — condi- 
tion of heat or cold — or mechanical pressure 



88 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. ' 

on nerve tissue, from distended lung capilla- 
ries. With some one or more of such ex- 
isting facts there is a cause, which becomes 
recognized in the name of sensation, — a 
sensation abnormal, which sensation is a 
fact, requiring instinctive attention, and is 
responded to by the sending of a greater 
volume of blood to the region of abnormal 
sensation, developing inflammation. 

We will now consider each of the primal 
causes which may contribute to abnormal 
sensation and development of such inflamma- 
tion, or pneumonia. 

The material cause may be from some sud- 
den inhalation of material dust or vapor. 
The 'primal heat cause might be the inhal- 
ing of hot air. The cold cause might exist 
from long breathing of very cold air. The 
mechanical cause can be made to exist from 
a prolonged superficial chill, producing a di- 
minished capillary circulation, which compels 
the blood to be stored away with a greater 
distention of the blood-vessels of the internal 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 89 

organs, — the lungs receiving an unnatural 
quantity, together with the fact that nerve 
tissue of sensation is generously supplied to 
lung tissue : with this fact of nerve, and of 
blood pressure on such nerve, there may ex- 
ist an abnormal sensation, — on precisely the 
same principle that applies with pressure of 
blood in the head as a frequent cause of 
headache. 

Having established a cause for abnormal 
sensation, in response to which instinct sends 
an increased volume of blood, we are to con- 
sider that such increased volume of blood 
contributes to the multiplication of cause, pro- 
ducing greater mechanical pressure, devel- 
oping more heat, which becomes a dual and 
secondary cause for a sensation abnormal 
to a degree of possible pain. Thus we have 
now to consider pressure, heat, and devel- 
oped pain as cause and fact of sensation ab- 
normal, to which instinct makes response by 
keeping up too great a volume of blood to 
the organ, — all of which associated facts of 



90 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

organic condition are called in the aggregate 
inflammation. 

In accordance with the theory of separate 
vital property, we are enabled to comprehend 
how this condition has been made to exist. 
Now arises the question, When will such dis- 
turbance cease ; and through what principle 
in the nature of organic method can such 
disturbance be made to stop? 

Pneumonia is called a self-limited disease. 
The limit of sucli activity is governed by that 
principle we have associated with instinct, 
mentioned in the third law of method in the 
name of Toleration, which implies that cause 
for morbid activity may exist. Yet a tol- 
eration is expressed through instinct which 
permits such cause to remain without special 
expression of further activity. Thus through 
the nature and possibility of modified prop- 
erty of instinct we find the principle of or- 
ganic method which makes it possible that 
disease may be self-limited. Otherwise per- 
sistent activity would continue to exhaustion 
and death. 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 91 

With pneumonia, we have to consider 
whether the severity of activity and territory 
involved will destroy the lung tissue, or di- 
minish the breathing capacity sufficient to 
cause death, before toleration and resolve to 
do so no more is established. While this 
principle of toleration is always developed in 
pneumonia if the patient lives, it is seldom 
developed in chronic lung trouble. In many 
cases of pneumonia, the severity of action 
and amount of territory involved are not of 
a degree or of a quantity sufficient to cause 
particular anxiety. With such cases it is 
said that resolution succeeds early, and Na- 
ture perfects the cure. It should be taken 
into explanation of such fact, that toleration 
was thus early established from a milder 
degree of cause, together with an organism 
possessed of less tendency to become irritable. 

In the treatment of pneumonia, we have 
three distinct matters to consider ; namely, 
the severity of action, the amount of terri- 
tory involved, and nutritive support. From 



92 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

the fact that active phenomena are developed 
of more or less severity from several causes, 
it becomes rational that the treatment should 
ever be to diminish each of the several causes 
under our control. Existing heat of high tem- 
perature being contributory of much cause, 
we should seek to diminish such temperature, 
which is very largely under our control, and 
a cause quite largely existing in the early 
stages of pneumonia. How shall we accom- 
plish such purpose to best advantage, with a 
superintendence which admits of momentary 
modification, as the facts may seem to re- 
quire ? We have adopted the method of 
early, very early, enveloping the chest com- 
pletely around the body with cool wet towels, 
covered with dry ones, changing these per- 
haps every twenty minutes for twelve hours, 
if necessary, together with all the cool water 
which the patient may desire, or even more. 
When we have found a temperature early of 
104° to 106°, such treatment has reduced the 
temperature to 100° or 102°, thus mitigat- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 93 

ing the degree of cause, and converting a 
case of prospective active severity to milder 
and safer relations of cause and activity. 
While it is not desirable to reduce the tem- 
perature to a normal standard, it is most de- 
sirable and beneficial to keep the temperature 
within safer limits. The German system of 
cold compress and cold bath went most de- 
servedly into disrepute, largely because such 
application was used with a view to abort or 
cure pneumonia, rather than the keeping of 
the temperature a few degrees less. It was 
practised more as a routine plan, without 
regard to the difference of constitutional 
strength or age of patients. To paralyze vi- 
tal activity with cold is equally reprehensible 
as with medicine. To abort pneumonia by 
depressing the vital activity after certain 
local changes have developed becomes dan- 
gerous. The nature of pneumonia with the 
robust suggests that continuous efforts to les- 
sen the temperature a feiv degrees through 
means under immediate control are of sig- 



94 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

nificant importance, — thus diminishing the 
blood volume, and permitting more air space 
to be utilized. Too much emphasis cannot be 
given to such early appliance. 

There is very much that might be said of 
pneumonia, existing with the feeble ; our 
remarks, however, are more directly appli- 
cable to the sthenic form, which snuffs out 
the life of the healthy and active. When we 
recognize the full meaning and position of 
abnormal sensation, as the existing condition 
which contributes to more serious aggravation 
of pneumonia, the subject of cause of abnor- 
mal sensation will be attended to early, with 
a recognition of great significance. The term 
"catching cold" is quite too often a mislead- 
ing term. The sufferer is far less liable to 
injury from continued cold than from in- 
creased and continued heat by organic pro- 
cess, which should be early diminished. In 
pneumonia, water not only aids in the cool- 
ing of the blood, but is required to remove 
soluble pathological product at an early day. 



H: 1 JULTURK. 

W b a large factor work- 

ing capital in disc 
wal more 

an too much m 

may no benefic 

uric process 
In all Usease rm and 

tribute aid to tht 
rather than enc to c 

m - the er: a I : 

se:_ With all c 

indicati m - zed ma; 

eluded the din 

for abnormal B in 

be diseaa _ m- 

pli: uires early inued 

blc :id while it - . bo red; 

the te i 5 * 

for c; morbi . we m - on 

find i sensation 

that warn for fur- 



96 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

ther morbid activity. Thus, in many cases, 
it becomes very important that large doses 
of repeated opiates be used early, not only to 
relieve the immediate pain cause, but to aid 
in establishing partial toleration, or abroga- 
tion. The treatment of the first two days 
may accomplish much, in converting a case 
of prospective severity into one of far less 
degree. Mildness of activity develops tolera- 
tion earlier, because there is less to tolerate ; 
thus " resolution " to cease activity becomes 
more early established in aid of self-preser- 
vation. 

The principle in operative prophylactics 
with disease becomes possible through three 
different relations with sensation. Recogniz- 
ing that abnormal sensation precedes active 
disease, it often becomes important to direct 
attention to abnormal sensation. Nature 
meets such requirement frequently by estab- 
lishing a toleration of the presence of cause ; 
while sensibility may appeal to abnormal sen- 
sation through a supply of material of more 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 97 

or less quantity, which presence may favor 
a condition of more or less temporary abro- 
gation of the function of sensation. With 
such a presence, sensation cannot perceive 
or recognize even to a degree of normal per- 
ception, much less to a complete fulness of 
abnormal degree. This condition is made to 
prevail through the presence of the opiate 
family of material medicines. The third 
department is made to apply by a ^re-occu- 
pancy of sensation ; while the diverting of 
activity through a cause for a different sensa- 
tion is a resource to be made applicable in 
various diseases, which become suggestive 
through a familiarity with the functions of 
the separate vital properties, and their co- 
operative relations with the executive prob- 
lems in life. 

This explanation of pneumonia and its 
treatment is suggested through and in har- 
mony with the theory of vital properties, in 
fulfilment of special duty in the organic 
problem, involved with relations of cause and 

7 



98 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

effect both in development of the disease and 
in establishing resolution or toleration, im- 
plied in support of the principle which per- 
mits such disease to be self-limited. So far 
as we are able to make comparison, theory 
and fact in association with defined vital 
properties, together with all the phenomena 
observable in pneumonia, appear to be veri- 
fied in the problem we have had under con- 
sideration. If we have failed to see all there 
is in this problem, or given wrong interpre- 
tation to fact, we earnestly desire to be set 
right. Our wish has long existed to be cor- 
rect with the interpretation of organic method, 
as presented and executed through the prop- 
erties and laws of organic force. We have 
had twenty-five years of experience with this 
method of treating pneumonia, and can truly 
say that we have been rewarded with such 
success as to persuade us to its continuance. 

We think it is not denied that much of 
the present practice with all disease is quite 
largely based on the experience of experi- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 99 

ment implied through historical and personal 
attainment, rather than on any pretence of 
presumed significance attached to laws and 
methods of organic instinct. While such 
experience may be of immeasurable value, 
we are none the less deprived of such source 
of knowledge when we seek to comprehend 
and anticipate Nature's methods in true ideal 
of organic fulfilment. If it is true that 
organic power executes the phenomena of 
disease, rather than a power or " active 
principle " in alleged poisons, then it is con- 
sistent to infer that a knowledge and correct 
theory, or explanation, of organic method 
would contribute much profit in connection 
with experience. In fact, experience and 
reason based on correct premises become the 
highest possible individual attainment. 

This volume is not intended to fulfil a de- 
partment of theory and practice, but to es- 
tablish a basis and illustration for such a 
department on a different plan. We aim to 
present a theory or explanation which will 



100 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

command respect as truly expressive of the 
principles, properties, and laws of organic 
method. 

We omitted in the proper place to make 
complete mention of all relations involved 
with the vital property of sensation ; we fol- 
lowed the direction developed, as irritable 
and painful. We desire to mention that in 
the opposite direction, with a sensation pleas- 
urable, there is much to consider which has 
developed practices of serious import both 
with opium and alcohol, of which with the 
latter we anticipate more special mention in 
another part of this volume. 

In the practice of medicine, sensibility will 
be required to have much to do with sen- 
sation, with a view to establish a different 
sensation in many instances, where no other 
problematic question is actively involved ; 
also to make appeals to instinct indirectly 
through sensation, for the purpose of estab- 
lishing a different expression of the vital 
property of Contractility. 



VITALISTS. 

TV IT EDICAL history refers to a " medical 
^ *- sect" called " Vitalists," originating 
with Van Helmont, and later espoused more 
earnestly by Stahl, who recognized in organic 
nature a principle of self-preservation outside 
of physiological duties. This was the germ 
ideal which later was recognized under the 
name of vis medicatrix naturce, and now more 
truly expressed through modern thought by 
that of organic instincts. Stahl and others 
have thought this power was intended to exe- 
cute important duties for the organism, and 
consequently should be endowed with a guid- 
ing principle that should cause such ability 
to manifest itself harmoniously in application 
to the best interest of the individual, — which 
would imply that this power should be guided 
by reason. Experience determined that this 



102 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

power could not be trusted for intelligence ; 
and as medical powers became more generally 
recognized, this department of organic prin- 
ciple fell into disrepute, and in fact was 
largely kept in the background, out of sight, 
and ignored through lack of attention, while 
a cultured expectancy was developed of a 
presumed ability expressed under the name 
of " active medical property." 

With a view to do justice to the ancient 
mind, as well as to draw the line of distinc- 
tion which determines the difference between 
our doctrine of vital property — Instinct — 
and the ancient doctrine of the vitalists, we 
say the ancient mind only recognized that 
there was such a principle applicable to the 
affairs of life, which was certainly commenda- 
ble. They determined nothing further which 
represented this principle correctly. Along 
the pathway of medical thought for centuries 
this principle has been recognized. The late 
Prof. Robley Dunglison, a medical scholar of 
distinguished ability, says : — 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 103 

" Physiologists have noticed in every living 
body an instinctive action, — an action of the 
living principle directing its operations to the 
health and preservation of a living frame. . . . 
The existence, then, of such an instinctive power 
can neither be denied nor lost sight of in the 
treatment of disease. The error has been that 
undue weight has been attached to it, so that 
the practitioner was altogether guided by its 
manifestations, or fancied manifestations. . . . 
Stahl, the great apostle of this doctrine, sup- 
posed a power to be present in the system of 
repelling morbific influence. . . . There are but 
few cases, however, in which trust can be safely 
placed in this power." 

In this statement we find the curious fact 
illustrated of how near both Stahl and Pro- 
fessor Dunglison were to the discovery of the 
true import of this important principle, exist- 
ing, or implied, in the name of a special vital 
property, — Instinct. While they failed to 
recognize that both physiological and patho- 
logical activities were guided by instinct, they 
also failed to recognize the several vital prop- 



104 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

erties, each in itself distinct, as a one principle 
or factor of life. Also, they both asserted, or 
rather entertained the expectancy, that this 
instinctive power, to be of practical use in 
medical science, should be expressive of in- 
tellect. They failed to recognize, that, to 
comprehend life as a whole, it was extremely 
important first to consider the separate, dis- 
tinct, and unlike duties of life which consti- 
tute this whole. The fact that such directed 
power did not express intellect caused this 
ability, in their judgment, to be set aside in 
the background as an unreliable department 
in the affairs of life. Professor Dunglison 
says : " We often hear, for example, of 
1 efforts of Nature,' yet the ideas attached 
to the expression are very unprecise." Not- 
withstanding the acknowledged existence of 
such power, no satisfactory knowledge was 
made applicable to the harnessing of this 
power knowingly, and guiding it into useful 
activities. 

Yet this department of expressed power 



HKHEK MUKCAIi €ML 

comprises mtt tie power existing that we h : 

consider in disease and medwioe profafeasw 
The nearness to discovery withoot actual dis~ 
jr is of narrow dimension, and found in 
the fact tL. - - ~e*wned Oat intt 

ya&A be directly behind in assoeia- 

hind /siKrvrr bs iation 

:h this power. Inst :s not 

expressive of in 

can guide this power indirectly through reia- 

as of a snpplied muse for a different sen- 

■ i e differe: ction to 

What we claim to free 

ment of organic nature is implied in the «fe~ 

fining of the - .1 pro^ as - og 

that one is not the other, and that each baa 

perform of special and unlike fane- 

a, executed within unmistakable boun 

- f dis: — Antra . .:. and of 

correlation in the practical affairs of 1 

wl .nstitute the whole of executive 



106 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

method in the problems of organic life. 
Professor Dunglison says: " The error has 
been that undue weight has been attached to 
it [the power] , so that the practitioner was 
altogether guided by its manifestation, or 
fancied manifestation." There is no " fan- 
cied manifestation" as a recognition of 
power ; while, if the ideal of expectancy was 
to recognize intelligence, there might be very 
much u fancied." This power, directed by 
instinct, may do right, or it may do wrong. 
The "manifestation" of this poiver is the 
only basis on which to place a judgment. In 
place of any possible " undue weight " being 
attached to such "manifestation," it is the 
only manifestation to be ever watched by the 
physician, and differently directed as judg- 
ment may determine. It is the power mani- 
fest in disease that requires the ever watchful 
attention of the physician, — to be let alone 
when doing the best possible, and guided 
when not expressive of the best relations to 
life. 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 107 

This one fact, that this power is directed by 
instinct, without direct intelligence, provides 
in nature that department to be filled by the 
physician, in a watchful oversight and guid- 
ance of this power indirectly. Guiding this 
instinctive power, rather than supplying a 
presumed medical power, or u active medical 
property," is the true duty of the physician, 
which plan is more expressive of a science. 
Professor Dunglison says : — 

" It is within the college walls that the stu- 
dent acquires the prominent facts of his pro- 
fession, and the great principles appertaining to 
its practical administration. He there learns 
the theory or laws of phenomena, on which all 
sound and rational practice is based. In no 
art can sound practice exist without theory. 
Theory is the mental process which binds ob- 
served facts or phenomena together, compares 
them with one another, and deduces appropriate 
rules of practice. It is to theory that we are 
indebted, not only for full practical usefulness, 
but for every science. Facts are, doubtless, the 



108 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

elements of science, but the science itself does 
not exist until these facts have been brought 
together, sifted and compared, and general prin- 
ciples or laws deduced therefrom." 

We fear that Professor Dunglison's ideal 
of accomplishment within " college walls " is 
not realized. If organic force executes the 
phenomena of disease, the nature of disease 
must be implied in the laws of organic force. 
Thus, if we do not understand the laws of 
organic force, we cannot understand the 
nature of disease ; and without a knowledge 
of the nature of disease, no physician is suffi- 
ciently cultured to give his patient the best 
advantage of the possibilities provided in a 
medical science. The doctrine of an " active 
medical property" expresses neither a fact 
nor a principle in medical science. 



"ACTIVE MEDICAL PROPERTIES." 

/CONSIDERING that we have presented 
^ w/ a basis of fundamental principles on 
which a new plan of medical science may find 
support, it may be questionable whether good 
cause remains for a further criticism of the 
plan we have alleged to be without repre- 
sentation in the affairs of life. When we 
take into consideration, however, the general 
habits, customs, and practices of a people, 
together with the pride, interest, reputation, 
education, and conscientious conviction which 
is associated with venerable names, learned, 
honorable, and influential, the most profound 
and conclusive details will be required to 
loosen the grip which has so long held fast 
to the doctrines which have come down to us 
through ages of revered respect. To give a 
sketch of the origin and progress of the doc- 



110 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

trines of alleged medical science, from time 
to time, is without profit on this occasion, 
and only of historic interest and curiosity to 
people who live in this age of modern in- 
vention ; and whether any persuasive induce- 
ment could be made to prevail in calling 
a halt for a review of fundamental medical 
premises, with any possible conviction of wil- 
lingness to accept the dictates of a better 
reason, by a consideration of what has been 
said by a distinguished philosopher relative 
to early thought, remains with the reader to 
determine. Mr. Herbert Spencer says : — 

u Early ideas are usually not true ideas. Un- 
developed intellect, be it that of an individual 
or that of a race, forms conclusions which re- 
quire to be revised and re-revised before they 
reach a tolerable correspondence with realities. 
Were it otherwise, there would be no increase 
of intelligence. What we call the progress of 
knowledge is the bringing of Thoughts into 
harmony with Things ; and it implies that the 
first Thoughts are either wholly out of harmony 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. Ill 

with Things, or in very incomplete harmony 
with them. 

" If illustration be needed, the history of every 
science furnishes them. The primitive notions 
of mankind as to the structure of the heavens 
were wrong. The original belief respecting the 
form of the earth was wrong, and this wrong 
belief survived through the first civilizations. 
The earliest ideas that come down to us con- 
cerning the nature of the elements were wrong ; 
and only in quite recent times has the com- 
position of matter in various forms been under- 
stood. In all these cases, man set out with 
beliefs which, if not absolutely false, contained 
but small amounts of truth disguised by immense 
amounts of error." 

With the subject of medical science, the 
doctrinal or ideal plan of to-day is as it was in 
the days of Acron, who is mentioned by Pliny 
as the first to apply philosophical reason- 
ing to medicine. Says an eminent medical 
scholar : " It is not difficult to satisfy intelli- 
gent men that there is a design in Nature ; 



112 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

but the problem consists in becoming able to 
recognize what that design is." 

Our present medical philosophy is but de- 
duction, endeavoring to harmonize modern 
facts with |tncient imagination. Instead of 
considering ourselves a peer with ancient man 
in the field of mental perception, we have 
taken the position of a subordinate, and 
adopted his contracted and erroneous views 
of the great plan of human organic life. As 
a profession, we are indulging in a glory 
of intellectual attainment, and the world of 
thought has been made to believe that our 
present doctrines of medical science emanate 
from unquestioned premises. We are sailing 
over the sea of time, revelling in the sun- 
shine of worldly fame, which contributes to 
our pride and bestows its applause of honor. 
Our department of learning is so skilfully 
intrenched and barricaded that no other de- 
partment can attack our citadel of wisdom 
with any assurance of success ; we have the 
ability to perpetuate our errors for another 



ff] JUDICAL CULTURE. 118 

century to come, and feel that our pn 

from 
tli' i. It Incomes 

d to cone ill bn 

from the I- 

ind 08, and i interpret the great 

plan provi or the manil >n of human 

: or continue in pnrenil o£ that phantom, 

imagination, which fa in the 

of the Deity* Axe we in th if age of 

ii — an e of more intelli- 

tce tli have - n to believe e 

existed in the human to our 

ie — th of antiquated erro 

we 1. like the ancient 

with Has the 

:1 profession I prin- 

ciple in Nature on which to develop the 
tails of a . and lias it j( learn that 

it U ? Must we sum d 

bich hart n the 

of medical phil re the 

questions suggested for earnest consi . >n. 

8 



114 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

Our present medical philosophy suggests 
a practice based on the recognition of an 
" active medical property" Whatever this 
phraseology may represent, or be presumed 
to represent, it becomes evident that great 
importance is attached to what it may seem 
to imply, when we consider the tons of med- 
ical literature which are constructed each 
year to do praise to its fame. 

This accepted principle of imaginary " ac- 
tive property " is made a basis for a theory 
of practice in medical science, and substi- 
tuted as a fundamental basis for what is 
implied in the name of organic force. The 
question may arise whether " active medical 
property " and organic force, to the mind of 
the cultured medical scholar, are one and the 
same. It would seem not, when the direction 
in pursuit of discovery is made to contribute 
testimony. In experiments with material 
medicine there is sought a property " active," 
which is classified as belonging to the mate- 
rial medicine, rather than of determining how 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 115 

a certain medicine may relate to the human 
organism as a cause, which shall occasion 
vital action to be differently manifested. 
The philosophy expressed in medical litera- 
ture does not make material medicine a 
cause, but it makes it " active " as a property 
belonging to medicine, which provides for 
such material both physical and active prop- 
erties, — to which doctrine the United States 
Dispensatory contributes full support. 

It becomes difficult to distinguish, through 
the strict significance of language, any differ- 
ence of implied principle between " active 
medical property " and the term " medical 
power." Medical literature has never defined 
the difference, or denied the applicability of 
the term "medical power" to represent the 
principle of implied relation. To the laity 
the terms are synonyms. The term " medical 
power" becomes frequently so undisguisedly 
crude as to be repudiated in discussion, 
while the term " active medical property " is 
cherished with great appropriateness of sig- 



116 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

nificance. Should we say that the present 
medical doctrines teach that alcoholic spirit, 
and many other articles of materia medica, 
give power or strength to the human organ- 
ism, numerous representatives of medical 
erudition will rise up in defence of educa- 
tional dignity, and exclaim with demonstra- 
tive emphasis, " Not so ! never, never ! •? 
while they will accept with pride the doctrine 
of " active medical property." Now, if medi- 
cine acts, — if that is the right word, — it 
must act by virtue of & power. There can be 
nothing behind the act but a power. Thus 
we must infer, if such language is expressive 
of correctness, that material medicine gives 
power to the human organism. This is pre- 
cisely what the people do believe ; and it is 
precisely what they should not believe. Such 
a belief is a belittlement of the dignity of 
science. It places the curative ability in the 
medicine rather than in organic force ; it pro- 
vides a medical science which has less use for 
brains than for a great assortment of " medi- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 117 

cal powers " ; it places the ignoramus quite 
too frequently on equally acceptable premises 
with the cultured physician. But while the 
present plan may be of mutual satisfaction 
to both patient and physician, and remain 
a lucrative business with medicine pedlers, 
such is far from affording scientific prem- 
ises for the practice of a medical science. 
Neither does it do justice to the legitimate 
rights of a people who look to the medical 
profession for the highest wisdom pertaining 
to the continuance of life. 

While we say that such is the doctrine 
taught, no intelligent physician accepts the 
crude doctrine of a " power " being given, 
although the United States Dispensatory as- 
sures us that " alcohol is a very powerful 
diffusible stimulant, . . . and gives additional 
energy to muscles." This doctrine of ac- 
cepted authority is quite generally believed 
by alcoholic spirit drinkers ; and why not ? 
While language may express certain ideas, 
it may also be true that such ideas are not 



118 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

believed by the more thoughtful in the pro- 
fession ; at the same time, no plan has been 
made available to prevent the development 
of such ideas. Even if the more highly 
cultured do not believe the idea, the more 
obtuse mind takes the inference literally ; 
and the professional clientage, to say the 
least, are being continuously educated to a 
belief which has more confidence in " medical 
power " to execute duties, than in a mental 
power to guide organic force to the fulfilment 
of duties. 

The doctrine of " active medical property " 
gives undue importance to medicine, while 
the department of organic force is admitted 
by our most prominent physicians to be a 
problem for " future generations," and not 
ours. The doctrine of " active medical prop- 
erty " has been evolved from premises more 
crude even than " medical power," although 
no profit or credit is to be derived from such 
mention. 

The great and general belief, whatever may 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 119 

be the name given, is that in material medi- 
cine exists some wonderful principle, which 
in itself becomes a constituted agent that ex- 
ecutes curative process. Such is the idea 
which has turned the human mind away from 
the fertile fields where the principles of a 
science may be found, into an exciting pur- 
suit of an ignis fatuus. We also find it 
stated in the United States Dispensatory 
that " the materia medica, in its most com- 
prehensive sense, embraces all those sub- 
stances which are capable of making sanative 
impressions on the human system." This 
language is not only very obscure, but puts 
the capability in the medicine, which is an 
idea ever made prominent. Such capability to 
do consists in being capable of making an im- 
pression. This doctrine which has come down 
to us in the idea of medical ability existed 
at an early period ; and while the idea has 
changed with the more cultured, the language 
still remains in medical books and litera- 
ture, and becomes a stumbling block and mis- 



120 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

director to all who cannot rise above the lit- 
eral significance of such phraseology. In the 
older works on materia medica we find med- 
icine thus defined by Dr. Wood : " Medicines 
are substances capable of producing by their 
own inherent power certain modifications of 
the vital functions." 

Notwithstanding the wish, with the more 
advanced thinkers, that the term "medical 
power" may be eliminated from medical 
literature, it remains true that this term 
was never before used with such freedom 
and frequency as it is at the present time. 
While a grand open denial is occasionally 
made of the appropriateness of the term 
" medical power," we have yet to discover in 
medical literature any expression of condem- 
nation of the doctrine of " active medical 
property." If such doctrine has been out- 
grown, such fact has never been expressed 
through medical literature. 

There is a significant nicety associated with 
these two forms of expression of a valued 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 121 

principle which is presumed to pervade mate- 
rial medicine. It is true the term " medical 
power " is a crude form for the expression of 
a thoughtful idea, while the term " active 
medical property " is more elegant, and is 
quite largely used where elegance is desired. 
The term " medical power " is openly ex- 
posed to pungent criticism without means 
of protection ; while that of " active medi- 
cal property " is barricaded and unget-at- 
able by the ordinary critic. When analyzed, 
no different idea can be extracted from the 
language , although at first thought such would 
not seem to be true. While the first term is 
exposed to criticism, neither represents any 
existing principle in medical science, and the 
latter soon loses its presumed significance 
when brought into immediate defined rela- 
tions of useful purpose. 

It is important that we dispose of the ques- 
tion, What is it desired that this " active 
medical property" shall do, as a primary do- 
ing, and what is it desired to have accom- 



122 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

plished later j as a consequence of such early 
acting or doing ? While there is recognized a 
property called u active," does accepted medi- 
cal philosophy require such property to act, or 
is it required to do something quite different ? 
Here is a noticeable fact in medical doc- 
trines, that, when we get down to business 
with this " active property," we find the duty 
to be executed is, not to act, but only to make 
an impression. There is a wide distinction 
between acting and making an impression. 
After the so called impression is made, some 
other agency of entirely different name and 
source is required to execute the special duty 
of the problem. It is to be remembered that 
an impression is not a something done, but a 
something recognized or discovered by the 
nerves of sensation. After the so called im- 
pression is made, what is said to be done 
next ? We are informed through medical 
literature that " a reaction " is established. 
This so called reaction is an action executed 
by organic power. To make it a reaction, 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 123 

the medicine must first act; otherwise such 
action is primarily a direct action. 

When we get down to fine points, we find 
that the medicine only makes an impression, 
in place of acting. In the practical affairs of 
medical science we find that the use of medi- 
cine is to cause some modification, or differ- 
ent direction, of vital activity, of more or less 
intensity. It is the organic force that does 
all the acting or executive duty, while medi- 
cine becomes the cause, whose presence occa- 
sions such change of activity. When we 
pursue this doctrine of u medical power " and 
" active medical property" to the last ditch, 
we find no mysterious principle of power or 
active relations to exist ; the one great 
demonstration called " making an impres- 
sion" seems to be the total of its required 
duties. The " impression " is still further 
disrobed of mystery when we give true sig- 
nificance to its relation of presence. The 
medicine has fulfilled the same relation, and 
made similar " impression" on the involun- 



124 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

tary department of vital power, as the whip 
makes with the voluntary powers of the 
horse : it has become a cause for a different 
vital activity. 

Medical theory has great complexity of 
construction. In the practice of medicine, 
the feat to be executed as a connective rela- 
tion of the idea taught in alleged science, 
which has been accepted with scholarly pride 
as a scientific exploit, consists in the transfer- 
ring of the so called " active property " into 
a manifestation called vital " reaction." Now, 
to make close connection, it has been necessary 
to have the " active property " first make 
an " impression," and the " impression " 
to induce a vital " reaction." This great 
double somersault act, which scientifically 
converts " active medical property " into vital 
"reaction," is permitted to be the unques- 
tioned, appropriate language of medical sci- 
ence, while in fact it is the most masterly 
feat of linguistic jugglery ever perpetrated in 
the name of science. While to-day this great 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 125 

feat of contortion is considered quite proper, 
and accepted with educational pride, yet, when 
organic nature is correctly understood, the 
bridging of this chasm between the imaginary 
and the real will afford much amusement at 
the method which the human mind resorted 
to in the hour of its peril, when impaled on 
the doctrines of traditional acceptance. 

Now, this is a very circuitous way of mak- 
ing known the fact that the presence of 
material medicine may cause the vital power 
to act differently. The doctrine of " active 
medical property " has no more claim to 
scientific attainment than the doctrines of the 
alchemist, through which it was sought to 
fulfil the expectancy of transmuting the baser 
metals into gold. While the doctrine of 
" active medical property " has long been ac- 
cepted as a representative principle in medi- 
cal science, like the pre-Copernican doctrine 
of the sun's motion, there exists no support 
for such acceptance except an erroneous 
interpretation of appearances. 



OBJECTIONABLE QUALITY. 

'THHE scientific name for that presumed 
-*• principle which relates medicine to 
the human organism in such manner as to 
receive the name of " active medical prop- 
erty," is expressed more truly, and in better 
harmony with fact, under the title of objec- 
tionable quality. 

The true relations and principle are im- 
plied in the fact that material medicine in 
its atomic material construction, be it mineral, 
chemical product, or certain organic produc- 
tion, is so far removed from being nutritive 
material that its 'presence becomes objection- 
able within the domain of life to that degree 
that a special vital effort, instinctively directed, 
is exerted in relation thereto with a view 
to expel the same. Who will deny the va- 
lidity of this statement ? So far as relation 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 127 

exists, the phenomenon called the action of 
medicine is entirely a vital act, instinctive 
with a view to self-preservation and elimina- 
tion. The instinctive act may be safely ex- 
pressed, or otherwise. When safely directed, 
such expression is precisely similar, and is 
the same kind of fact which at other times is 
called the vis medicatrix naturce, or Nature's 
method of cure. Such act is a pathological 
vital act. Also, this same manifestation of 
instinctive vital effort to expel material of 
similar relation is no more or less than dis- 
ease. Disease is pathological vital action ; 
and pathological action is vital action in 
relation to material, not for nutritive or 
constructive purpose. When instinctively 
directed, vital action is not safely directed. 
We recognize such fact in the name of disease 
that requires medication. Disease is a vital 
act, which is frequently said to be due to the 
presence of " morbific material." The so 
called morbific material is not morbid as a 
material, but objectionable in such place as 



128 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

a material; and it is a kind of ' material 
the presence of which is not to be made use- 
ful in the affairs of organic life. A morbid 
vital act is required to eliminate such mate- 
rial. This morbid vital act is pathological 
vital action. Disease is quite frequently such 
a dangerous vital act that the physician is 
required to suppress or divert such act. Now, 
the same principle becomes applicable to 
suppress or divert such action as was implied 
in a first cause to establish such diseased ac- 
tion, or pathological vital action. That is, 
some other material which is called medicine 
may be placed within the vital presence that 
may be a cause for vital action to be sup- 
pressed, — or, differently and more safely 
expressed, to fulfil the purpose. 

The fact that such is the relation of non- 
nutritive material to the human organism as 
to cause a differently manifested vital act, 
becomes the means through which the phy- 
sician may make application to direct in- 
stinctive vital action. This instinctive vital 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 129 

action is all the action ever displayed by the 
involuntary living organism. Thus, the phy- 
sician takes the advantage of this fact and 
method to change or modify pathological vi- 
tal action in such manner as to be of best 
interest for the individual organism, which 
becomes the fulfilment of practical medical 
science. While this principle of instinctive 
vital action has always been thus instrumen- 
tal in executing the duty, the physician has 
largely given credit through medical litera- 
ture to some mysterious principle inherent 
in material medicine, called " active medi- 
cal property." There is no way to solve dis- 
ease and medical problems except through 
a knowledge of the laws and methods of or- 
ganic force. 

We now wish to call attention to some 
important statements made by physicians of 
recognized eminence. Said Professor Gross, 
of Philadelphia : " We know very little of 
the essential nature of disease ; indeed, noth- 
ing at all." Disease is not recognized in 

9 



130 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

medical literature as pathological vital action, 
but something done, or influenced, by an 
agency which mankind experience great dif- 
ficulty in comprehending. Said Professor 
Davis, of the New York Medical College : 
" The modus operandi of medicine is en- 
tirely unknown." Said Professor Meigs, of 
the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia : 
" All our cogitations of the modus operandi 
of medicines are purely empirical." Says 
Professor Dunglison (in his Materia Medica, 
Vol. L p. 94) : " The modus operandi of rem- 
edies is not always clear ; yet by careful 
analysis we can generally appreciate, in the 
main results at least, although we may have 
much difficulty in comprehending the precise 
mode in which results are accomplished." 
Commenting on his own statement, he adds : 
"This applies especially to those cases in 
which the agency takes place by sympathetic 
influence, — an influence proverbially obscure, 
and frequently invoked with the view of 
covering the ignorance of the observer ; as 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 131 

vitality and organic action are at times used 
by the physiologist when a function cannot 
be explained by any known physical facts 
or arguments." 

This is a very peculiarly worded expression. 
The inference is, that when a physiologist 
is not able to explain organic phenomena 
through "physical" agencies, or agencies out- 
side of organic process, to " cover such igno- 
rance " he resorts frequently to the phrase 
" vitality and organic action." In such com- 
ment there is implied an exhibition of thought 
confused through erroneous culture relative 
to premises whose principles are in most 
profound obscurity. 

In such remarks as quoted we find a con- 
fessed inability to explain hoiv a medicine 
may do what it never did or can do, — that 
what is called the modus operandi of medi- 
cines is in fact pathological vital action, and 
nothing different, is not recognized. 

Said Professor Paine, of the New York 
University Medical School, and author of 



132 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

" Institutes of Medicine " : " Remedial ' agents 
are essentially morbific in their action. They 
operate in the same manner as do the remote 
causes of disease." Says Dr. Bigelow (Nature 
in Disease, p. 17) : "The effects of remedies 
are so mixed up with the phenomena of dis- 
ease, that the mind has difficulty in separating 
them." Much difficulty indeed ! 

We find in these quotations the same prin- 
ciple recognized which gives action to "reme- 
dial agents," and which is required to make 
operative the " remote causes of disease." 
Such is most significantly true ; yet the 
" agent essentially morbific in action" is the 
" agent " pathological vital action, acting in 
relation to both the " remedial agent " and 
the " remote cause of disease." 

The action which is called the modus 
operandi of medicine, the action which is 
called disease, the action which is called 
medical action, the action which is implied 
in the name of " active medical property," 
the action which is said to express the " vis 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 133 

medicatrix natures" are all given expres- 
sion by that one principle existing in organic 
nature, which is more truly and scientifically 
expressed in the name of pathological vital 
action, and action of the living principle, in 
the general name of Organic Instinct. Not- 
withstanding this statement may be in con- 
tradiction to beliefs of mature age, it remains 
true that no writer of medical literature has 
ever been able to draw a line of distinction. 
In the mean time eminent medical scholars 
have said that " this generation, and genera- 
tions to come, will have passed to their ever- 
lasting rest before a discovery of the secret 
of vital activity is made." If organic force 
becomes recognized as a factor in medical 
science, there should be some acknowledg- 
ment of duty credited to such department 
and properly outlined. 

The impulse of conviction inspiring to a 
belief in the existence of such a principle in 
Nature as is presumed to exist in the name 



134 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

of " active medical property " received un- 
paralleled recognition through the announce- 
ment of the discovery said to have been made 
by Dr. Koch. Such influence of apparent 
acceptance, recognized through the press, 
gave a long lease of life to expectant useful- 
ness of this department of mysterious nature. 
It was stated that Dr. Koch had discovered 
a rare " active medical property," — some 
kind of u active principle," to execute cura- 
tive process, — something wonderful, — a com- 
pound of greal value and of high price. A 
Boston physician went to Europe to learn 
more about this wonderful ability, and sent 
home a cablegram stating that " the action 
of this material is certainly as wonderful as 
that of any known medicine." Dr. Koch 
says of his discovery : — 

" Eegarding the manner in which the specific 
action of the remedy on tuberculosis tissue is to 
be represented, various hypotheses may natu- 
rally be put forward. ... In what way this pro- 
cess of cure occurs cannot as yet be stated with 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 135 

a certainty. . . . There is no question of a de- 
struction of the tubercle bacilli in the tissues, 
but only the tissue enclosing the bacilli is 
affected by the remedy." 

It may be true that Dr. Koch has discov- 
ered some compound the presence of which 
is so inimical to life that this material in 
presence of tuberculous growth of weak vital 
attainment may occasion such tissue to sur- 
render its life and break down, and thus be- 
come susceptible of elimination. Such a fact 
is not an isolated fact in nature, but is a fact 
which has a variety of kin, and is far from 
being strangely mysterious. New cicatricial 
growth of tissue may and does frequently 
break down under the shock which poisons 
may cause to the life forces. Precisely the 
same principle applies when strong acids or 
alkalies are brought in contact with healthy 
tissues externally. Such is the whole of the 
discovery. And even should such become a 
possible fact in numerous instances with 
tuberculous tissue, it will remain a fact of no 



136 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

practical advantage. The laudations of the 
period were not made in behalf of a discovery 
of such a fact, but in praise of an important 
discovery of " active principle," which medi- 
cal men said that " for the present at least 
it is impossible to explain." An editorial 
statement in a scientific journal of high re- 
pute said, relative to such material, " That 
the mysterious substance is one of immense 
strength, and capable of producing the most 
powerful physiological effects, cannot be dis- 
puted." Our theory of " physiological ef- 
fects " persuades us to accept only vital 
power as being possible to execute such 
duties. 

When we recognize the nature of instinc- 
tive vital duty in relation to material objec- 
tionable within the field of vital jurisdiction, 
— which expressed fact has ever been recog- 
nized as the fact which is made to testify to 
the discovery of an " active medical prop- 
erty," — it then becomes evident that there 
are waiting a hundred million more possible 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 137 

objectionable compounds with which to make 
success/id experiment, with a view to the 
discovery of " active medical properties." 
Dr. Brown- Sequard says : " Physicians — un- 
fortunately I speak of myself as well as 
others — are biased. This bias prevents 
progress. They have received an education 
which has given them certain notions, and 
these notions prevent a free examination of 
certain questions." 

On the subject of alleged propagation of 
disease through the agency of bacilli and 
nidus, while far from being an expert in that 
department, we suggest that it is in harmony 
with the nature of things that in all variety 
of pathological product there exists organic 
material which may be food for some variety 
of microscopic life, vegetative or animal, ever 
ready to thrive on such material when no 
longer existing in protection of healthy vitaliz- 
ing agency. Each variety finds some certain 
product more favorable for development and 
multiolication : and such a familv of bacilli, as 



138 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

a general fact, in place of being a cause of 
such disease, finds possible condition for ex- 
istence only in consequence of such disease. 
In association with a bacillus found in con- 
nection with a certain disease being judged 
capable of propagating similar disease, we 
have more than one kind of fact requiring 
analysis. That is, What would become the 
primary cause for abnormal sensation ? Is it 
a bacillus, or the bacilli germ family as a 
family, or the associated vitiated product in 
which the family live, or the sewage material 
and dead product of the family ? Through 
such material there may be a cause — as a 
product of multiplied bacilli, or a multiplied 
vitiated product obnoxious — for a primary 
abnormal sensation ; after which secondary 
causes for abnormal sensation and develop- 
ment of pneumonia, or other disease, can no 
doubt be made to exist. While it is inferen- 
tial that pneumonia may possibly be propa- 
gated in this way from primary cause, from 
some relation of the pneumococcus, it is far 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 139 

more rational to infer that pneumonia with- 
out such propagation often becomes developed 
to a certain degree before even the first bacil- 
lus could take up a " quarter section " in the 
sputa. Now, while it may be true that pneu- 
monia, or other disease, may be developed 
from a great variety of cause for a primary 
abnormal sensation, yet in the sputa of sev- 
eral diseases from either cause may be found 
a temporary home for the raising up a col- 
ony of the microbe family or pneumococcus. 
Thus we have good cause to believe that 
sporadic pneumonia, as well as other disease, 
comes into existence before the microbe in- 
flux locates on the premises. 

While it is true that the filth product of 
disease with one person may become cause 
for disease with another person, the interven- 
ing agency of the microbe will be endured with 
less fear by the next generation. Rather 
than seek means for trapping the microbe, we 
should be more hopeful in dealing with ab- 
normal sensation. The microbe bacillus, or 



140 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

vitiated product, can have no other relation to 
disease than a primal cause of abnormal sen- 
sation ; and while such primal cause may 
exist in such a variety of manner, it is but 
rational that we entertain feelings of less hos- 
tility toward the microbe. The ushering in of 
active disease without a primary abnormal sen- 
sation is an impossibility. Abnormal sensa- 
tion always becomes the intervening fact and 
existing condition between cause and effect; 
and many unsolved problems await the recog- 
nition and utility of the sphere of duty im- 
plied in the separate vital properties. 

When we recognize medical science as be- 
ing a science based on the law of the power 
which executes its phenomena, — the organic 
force, — we must also recognize that we can- 
not comprehend the law of organic force as 
a unit, any more than we can comprehend 
mathematics as a unit, but each must be 
reached through the several departments 
which constitute its whole ; and while recog- 
nizing the function of the four ultimate vital 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 141 

properties, we are required to define the sepa- 
rate duty of each, and how they apply in the 
problems of life. It is through a knowledge 
of the duty and law that we are enabled to 
give true significance to facts. A knowledge 
of the law of gravitation supplied the evi- 
dence for the astronomer to locate the tele- 
scopic undiscovered planet Neptune ; and 
directing the telescope to that point in the 
heavens for the first time, the planet Neptune 
was discovered. It was discovered through 
the law, not from a general promiscuous hunt. 
A knowledge of organic law not only enables 
us to give true significance to fact, but ena- 
bles us to eliminate many of our long cher- 
ished deductions, which have been presumed 
to be, but are not. 

When we recognize that all cause of disease 
has its first presence made known to the 
human organism through an abnormal sensa- 
tion by that special property, which fact of 
presence is conveyed to instinct, then this 
agency marshals the forces into activity to 



142 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

present those phenomena we call disease. It 
then becomes apparent that the " germ theory 
of disease" supplies no relation as a cause, 
unlike an abnormal sensation ; and while we 
recognize the multiplicity of varied causes for 
an abnormal sensation, it again becomes evi- 
dent that the doctrine of " germ theory of 
disease " is quite largely a misnomer. The 
doctrine, to be correct, should be germ theory 
of cause. Disease is pathological vital action 
in relation to cause ; and while the associated 
filth-material with germs, or microbes, may 
be a cause in some instances, it is well to 
remember that a cause is quite distinct from 
the disease. 

It is evident under the law that quite too 
much prominence is being given to the mi- 
crobe doctrine in relation to disease, and too 
little to the grand army of organic force, 
which may resent such intrusion by inocula- 
tion. A cause of disease is no more active 
than a boulder on a railroad track is active as 
a cause of a railroad accident. In each case it 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 143 

is material in the wrong place. The effects 
of medicine are not due to the action of medi- 
cine or an " active medical property," but an 
action of an entire different department rela- 
tive to material in an unnatural place. 
When we know the cause of disease, such 
knowledge is quite frequently of but little 
use in the treatment of disease. It is a 
knowledge of the nature of disease, implying 
the law of organic force with that hind of 
disturbance, which contributes to our aid in 
the treatment of disease. 

When one looks at the disease problem and 
its treatment, through the four vital proper- 
ties and laws of organic force, an entirely dif- 
ferent field of panoramic vision is presented. 
If organic force does not execute the phe- 
nomena of disease, and likewise those actions 
which develop the effects of medicine, then we 
shall be forced to admit that we are roaming 
in a prolific field of delusive imagination. 

The general and more specific effect of 
medicine in relations with the human oro;an- 



144 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

ism is not a subject of previous conclusion 
through the law, but a fact determined by 
observation and deduction from experience ; 
and while we may describe the phenomena of 
appearance, it is of the greatest importance 
that we accept deductions and theories in har- 
mony with the laws of organic duty in relation 
to the developed appearances. While some 
material may be a cause for violent involun- 
tary activity, other material presence may be 
quite the opposite ; in fact, such presence for- 
bids the possibility of activity, through which 
contact there may prevail a temporary abroga- 
tion of possible manifestation of sensation, — 
thus making it possible frequently to abort what 
would otherwise be a dangerous activity from 
the presence of other material, and conse- 
quent mandate from the commander in chief, 
Instinct. In such instance a supply of such 
material for abrogation of sensation is a 
manoeuvre of Sensibility outwitting Instinct 
by cutting the wires, we might say, which 
communicate the knowledge of such presence. 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 145 

While certain material presence may abro- 
gate sensation without complicating sensibil- 
ity, other material in the name of sulphuric 
ether, experience has taught us, will abrogate 
both sensation and sensibility, and yet it may 
remain possible to execute involuntary ac- 
tivity of circulation and respiration through 
the agency of instinct. Instinct is the first 
vital property born, and the last to die, — a 
wise provision for organic preservation. 

In the following quotation from an emi* 
nent physician, we find a statement which has 
relation to the subject of first and secondary 
causes in disease : — 

"In the large mass of morbid conditions, al- 
though the cause which immediately produced 
the disease is taken away, the complaint con- 
tinues. . . . The difficulty in discovering the 
precise cause of a disease is often extreme. 
Fortunately, the discovery is not always a mat- 
ter of moment, inasmuch as the disease usually 
continues independently of the cause ; and it is 

10 



146 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

the disease — the modification in the structure 
or function that constitutes the pathological 
condition — which we have to combat." 

While we cannot accept the continuance of 
disease without a cause, we will first notice 
the very delicate lines of distinction which 
are made to prevail between our statement 
that pathological vital action is disease and 
the language here used. 

At first, it would seem that the " pathologi- 
cal condition which we have to combat " was 
almost equivalent to the acceptance that path- 
ological vital action was disease. The state- 
ment is strongly persuasive in that direction, 
and at the same time far enough removed not 
to be convertible into such inference. A 
" pathological condition" may imply both struc- 
ture and action ; and when applied to struc- 
ture it would be more correct to infer that 
pathological condition was more the product 
of disease than the disease itself. It is the 
" function," or action, " which we have to 
combat." There is a significant difference of 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 147 

wide distinction, many times, between " path- 
ological condition" and pathological action. 
The distinction to be inferred would be with- 
out interest in this place were it not so 
closely connected with the statement that 
" the disease usually continues independently 
of the cause.'' Now, while it may be ex- 
tremely difficult to determine the first cause 
of such commencing disturbance, and even 
when we do so determine and are sure that 
such cause has been removed, we are required 
to associate with cause the idea that disease 
can exist only when cause occasions a sensa- 
tion abnormal. The material cause, if such 
it be, is the cause of what ? It must be a 
cause of a new sensation, which is abnormal ; 
otherwise no special instinctive vital action is 
established. The special instinctive action is 
the disturbance, or disease, — the pathologi- 
cal vital action, which must always be pre- 
ceeded by a cause for abnormal sensation, 
and continued because a cause for abnormal 
sensation continues to exist. 



148 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

Now, while a cause of disease must be born 
in a name that affords cause for a sensation 
abnormal, it remains true that secondary 
cause for abnormal sensation will develop, 
and continue to be a cause for continued path- 
ological action even when the primary cause of 
abnormal sensation has been removed. Such 
may be illustrated through the fact that the 
removal of a sliver from some fleshy part may 
be followed by inflammation. One simple 
fact rightly understood and truly interpreted 
will teach as much as a thousand facts of the 
same kind. A primary cause for abnormal 
sensation may develop secondary cause in the 
name of mechanical pressure, or heat on 
nerve extremity, developing irritability or 
pain, and abnormal sensation of greater de- 
gree. Thus the disturbance would continue 
unlimited, were it not possible to deploy vital 
activity or establish toleration, natural or 
artificial. 

The expression in medical literature, that 
a " diseased action in a tissue goes on aug- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 149 

menting until the function of other tissues 
becomes deranged by extension of morbid ac- 
tion by sympathy," is a fulfilment of changes 
executed through cause and effect, as implied 
with first and secondary causes. Such dis- 
turbance is quite liable to develop with 
mucous membranes and external skin, where 
capillaries and nerve extremities are abun- 
dant. In cellulitis the liquid product of mor- 
bid action may become a secondary cause 
for extension of disease. The vital property 
sensation becomes the intervening agency 
through which cause may be known and fol- 
lowed by a development of active disease. If 
there is no pathological vital action, there is 
no active disease. There may exist certain 
morbid sensation from prolonged causes, 
which are termed nervous diseases, where we 
may be able to detect but little special activity 
of long continuance in any one direction, — 
such morbid or abnormal sensation being fol- 
lowed by a great diversity of transient mild dis- 
turbance without regularity of manifestation. 



150 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

With acute disease frequently, and some- 
times with chronic, the sensation is the condi- 
tion to modify or suppress. Abnormal sensa- 
tion is the only condition quite frequently for 
complaints relative to which no morbid vital 
action can be discovered. Sensation abnor- 
mal, when known, should be alleviated as 
early as possible, to prevent instinctive special 
actions of dangerous severity, — which inci- 
dent may be illustrated in case of colic pains, 
or a mechanical blow on abdominal walls. 
The use of opiates may abort or prevent 
severe inflammation of the region. When ab- 
normal sensation becomes known only from 
subsequent results, it becomes the duty of 
the physician to diminish sensation occa- 
sioned from secondary cause, with a view to 
diminish the severity and limit of instinctive 
morbid action. Sensibility must make appeal 
to suppress or differently deploy pathological 
action, by first causing a different sensation, 
thus indirectly guiding instinctive action as 
judgment may deem most beneficial. 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 151 

In the treatment of disease, we have for 
consideration a modification of sensation 
early, an elimination of material cause, divert- 
ing instinctive action when required, and 
inducing more or less toleration later. Sen- 
sibility may supply a cause, to which Instinct 
responds with a special activity ; and such 
relation of cause and effect is represented in 
medical literature as the making of an " im- 
pression," and establishing a " reaction." 

In some diseases of the skin, which may be 
first started from mechanical irritation, secon- 
dary cause becomes developed each day suffi- 
cient to have a continuous presence of cause 
for an abnormal sensation and prolonged skin 
disease. Continuous abnormal sensation is 
made possible to exist to such a degree as 
to develop superficial change of structure, 
thus keeping a chronic abnormal condition of 
cause and effect wholly confined to the skin. 
Thus the term " neurotic disease of the skin" 
becomes quite correctly applicable. Such 
conditions of the skin are thus continued, — 



152 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

from which basis the indications for treat- 
ment would be to modify superficial sensa- 
tion by removal of local cause rather than the 
adoption of constitutional methods. 

When engaging in the solution of problems 
in disease, from the basis of the four vital 
properties, we are in possession of quite 
similar aid to that afforded in mathematical 
problems, involving addition, subtraction, 
multiplication, and division. How each of 
said departments applies, and becomes re- 
lated to the problem, becomes the thinking 
application in direction of a solution; also 
the practical basis for application. And thus 
with problems in disease and use of medi- 
cine, — when we become equally familiar with 
the duties and fulfilment of the separate vital 
properties in the affairs of life, we think such 
application in the direction of a solution. 
There is no way to comprehend the subject of 
mathematics except through the several de- 
partments which make up its whole. There 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 153 

is no way to comprehend the nature and laws 
of organic force except through a correct 
knowledge of the separate vital properties. 
When we search medical literature for such 
knowledge, we look in vain ! 

Thus by recognizing the department to be 
made operative, and how controlled and made 
applicable, we have acquired the most essen- 
tial knowledge on which to predicate the 
practice of a medical science, and make ex- 
perience more instructive. We may have a 
rational reason for anticipation in advance of 
what may be expected from statistical results. 
We are enabled to sit in judgment with a 
knowledge of the organic law of activity, and 
can better comprehend the method and possi- 
bility of appliance to the greatest aid in 
conservation of vital energy. Expectant 
treatment is always justifiable, when no good 
reason based on a knowledge of vital activity, 
can be found for interference. 

If we are to recognize organic force as the 
active agent in the affairs of human life, it is 



154 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

well to recognize the material stock used, and 
the true relation of material not usable, and 
render such aid as will best enable instinct to 
perform its duty. Organic £orce carries on 
the business of human development and con- 
tinued preservation of duplicate, by a physio- 
logical process, with a material stock in trade 
consisting of nutrient material, air, and 
water. In disease, or with pathological vital 
actions, there is generally required a larger 
proportion of water to facilitate the extra 
elimination of the waste tissue and soluble 
pathological product. 

We have here submitted for consideration 
what we allege to be an interpretation of the 
nature and method of organic force, as mani- 
fested through the human organism in sepa- 
rate division of four ultimate vital properties, 
each executing its part, included within limits 
and boundaries of significant distinction, de- 
termined and defined in accordance with the 
special duties which each execute in the af- 
fairs of life, — on which premises we allege 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 155 

that it becomes possible to comprehend the 
true nature of disease and the correct rela- 
tion of material medicine to the human or- 
ganism. We suggest that this plan and 
interpretation be given such crucial test of 
comparison with organic facts and methods 
as to determine, through verification or other- 
wise, what validity may attain to such repre- 
sentation. We also ask the reader to make 
comparison of this plan and theory of medi- 
cal science as a whole, and in detail, with the 
plan of medical science based on the doctrine 
of " active medical property " ; a plan where 
the primary claim of " active" ability is ad- 
mitted to be of " mysterious " existence and 
outside the limit of comprehension in any 
of its essentials ; a plan of medical science 
which is overflowing with valuable suggestive 
facts, yet without system sufficient to give 
respect to doctrinal theory of explanation ; a 
plan which fails to develop a comprehension 
either of the nature of disease or of the 
modus operandi of its medicines ; a plan and 



156 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

detail which have developed a belief with the 
laity, to say the least, that the presumed 
agency implied in the name of " active medi- 
cal property," when placed within the citadel 
of life, will give battle in valiant deeds of 
glory with disease, and engage in the work of 
purification, renovation, and restoration, and 
which will put the organic tabernacle in 
commendable relations for the pursuit of 
happiness ; a department of alleged science 
relative to which the most highly cultured 
scholars in the learned profession make the 
most derogatory remarks of condemnation 
and belittlement of its erudite scientific 
accomplishment which language has made 
possible in the hands of skilled and accom- 
plished linguists; a plan which inspires the 
laity to have far more faith in medical than 
mental powers, and which is of great detri- 
ment to the true position and value of a pro- 
fessional education, and of greater detriment 
to themselves. 



PARTIAL SUMMARY OP SCIENTIFIC 
PREMISES. 

OOME of the more salient premises for 
^ consideration here presented include 
the defining and function of the several vi- 
tal properties : that medicine has no active 
property ; that the effects of medicine are not 
due to the action of medicine ; that the use of 
medicine cannot be predicated on its action, 
but as a cause for a different vital act ; that 
the cause of disease is not active ; and that 
there is no such relation as the " active 
cause " of disease. 

We have defined the nature of disease as 
being based on a principle which we have de- 
fined in the nature and duty of organic force. 
We have presented the principle involved 
in the modus operandi of medicines as de- 
pendent on active organic force, rather than a 



158 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

principle belonging to " active medical prop- 
erty." We have presented the name and 
nature of a principle as the first condition of 
life properties, which precedes active disease ; 
namely, abnormal sensation. We have pre- 
sented the name of a principle provided in 
nature for the termination of active disease, 
which makes it possible that disease may be 
self-limited, namely, toleration. The medi- 
cal philosophy of record starts active disease 
by having the cause act. The recognition of 
the fact of self-limited disease has long been 
accepted, without a presentation of principle 
which shall permit such fact to exist. 

Will any reader show, not in blank denial, 
but through the philosophic relations of cause 
and effect implied in the nature of organic 
force, and in the nature of material medicinal 
relation, that we are not right in every state- 
ment of this summary ? If we are right, 
the profession must accept as a truism the 
assertion that medical science is higher up 
among the events of nature than what is im- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 159 

plied in the doctrine of " active medical prop- 
erty." If we are right, the idea and thought- 
level of a medical science with the laity, who 
are the recipients of its application, and 
whose lives are in jeopardy, should occupy a 
higher position in the realm of fancy than 
the receiving of a supplementary energy in 
the name of an " active medical property " 
from the hands of the ignorant and uncul- 
tured in the science of organic force. 



CHEMICAL FOOD. 

TN this place we will mention a department 
-*- of supply which is indorsed and pre- 
scribed to aid in support of the human or- 
ganism, existing as a product of chemical 
agency. 

Omitting, for personal reasons, mention of 
any particular preparation, we will say that 
a great variety of such compounds are on the 
market, supported by professional approval. 
In contrast with such an expectancy, it is 
claimed by many of our most accomplished 
scientists that all material susceptible of as- 
similation must be lifted up from its elemen- 
tary condition by the agency of the vegetable 
kingdom, before it can be vitalized by the 
organic forces of the animal kingdom. The 
animal may assimilate the vegetative product 
or the structures of other animals ; but when 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 161 

organic material has gone backward into 
chemical change, and lost its organic struc- 
tural atomic arrangement, such material is 
no longer possible of assimilation. In other 
words, the human organism cannot assimilate 
or vitalize ultimate elements or chemical com- 
pounds. If this doctrine is true, the many 
preparations for " building up the organism " 
existing as chemical products are a gross im- 
position of dangerous relations, contributing 
more to develop mercantile pursuits than a 
supply for organic construction. When the 
students of medical science recognize that 
organic force, rather than " active medical 
property," executes the many problems and 
phenomena of life, there will naturally arise 
the question, not only as to what are the con- 
ditions most favorable and what laws are 
implied, but what material will become of 
most beneficial aid to the execution and com- 
pleteness of its purpose, — whereof specially 
prepared organic material and supplied aid 
to digestion will be recognized as far more 

11 



162 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

useful in toning up the system than chemical 
compounds. 

There are many practices in alleged med- 
ical science which it would be of great ben- 
efit to the laity to have reviewed by the 
profession. 



SENSATION AND SENSIBILITY. 

/ nr v EERE is another co-relation between 
-* the vital properties of sensation and 
sensibility that we have not mentioned, which 
is receiving some attention, and is worthy of 
more than it receives. It is represented fre- 
quently under the name of " hypnotic sug- 
gestion," of more or less degree applicable to 
the inducing of analgesia, or insusceptibility 
to pain. This relation of possibility is quite 
well known to exist between a sensibility of 
one person and the sensation of another, — 
quite unlike the mention of " temporary abro- 
gation of all sensation." It is more a sepa- 
ration or dissociation of the sensation of pain 
from the sensibility, even to that extent 
which permits of surgical operations with- 
out pain while the subject may be either 



164 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

conscious or unconscious of the transpiring 
event. 

While a knowledge of such possibility has 
been historically presented as a " mesmeric 
event," we must recognize in such fact a 
peculiar advantage, which the physician can 
employ quite frequently with his patients, — 
to them not perceptible, — that will effect 
much in alleviating numerous disagreeable 
sensations. There is also a co-relation be- 
tween those vital properties existing with the 
same individual, often perplexing and diffi- 
cult for the physician to overcome. There 
are many self-suggested complications which 
take the name of disease, far more amenable 
to tact, peculiar influence, and conviction, 
than any effects of material medicine. Sensi- 
bility can produce sensorial feelings which 
are responded to by Instinct. The idea that 
an emetic has been taken may cause erne- 
sis ; thus ideality may often be productive of 
good or evil results. We have had a variety 
of very singular and interesting experiences 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 165 

with such incidents, and while there is much 
of interest and usefulness to be found with 
such a possibility of relation, the subject would 
require much space to do it justice. 

When we recognize the fulfilment of life 
duties on the basis of the four distinct vital 
properties, it becomes evident that the lan- 
guage of Dr. William B. Carpenter, when 
referring to the " automatic " function of the 
cerebrum, should be somewhat modified. He 
says the cerebrum is a " superadded organ, 
the development of which seems to bear a 
pretty constant relation to the degree in 
which intelligence supersedes instinct as a 
spring of action." We cannot, however, thus 
infer such competitive relation. Automatic 
action of the cerebrum is wholly unlike the 
automatic action of instinct. The two de- 
partments are entirely different as to their 
hind of duty ; although the function of the 
cerebrum is a superadded development to the 
developed function of instinct. The develop- 
ment of intelligence holds essentially no com- 



166 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

paratiwe relations with instinct. The instinct 
of the Hottentot's bodily organism is quite 
equal to a Shakespeare's. Instinct is a de- 
partment of life duties, implied in the de- 
velopment of the bodily organism, whether 
there be added more or less of cerebral intel- 
ligence. The automatic action of the cere- 
brum is a special associate quality with 
intelligence or sensibility, which, in the pur- 
pose of this volume, we find little cause to 
mention. 

We pay due respect to this important de- 
partment in saying that the automatic action 
or unconscious cerebration of the cerebrum is 
a wonderful development of life possibilities 
at the present day, which is receiving special 
attention in the hands of societies for psychi- 
cal research. Many of the superstitious mys- 
teries of historical mention, as well as facts 
hitherto ignored or treated with derision, are 
being lifted up to a rational recognition and 
explanation through the higher possibilities 
of cerebral achievement. 



RESPONSIBILITY. 

r I "HERE m 

• _ 

an me wonc 

ful and useful 

aman 

:anisin ~ : 

^ion. an 'I 
] 
I 
I I I : ■ 

\ In :. 



168 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

people been better prepared to become the 
victims of imposition by medical swindlers 
than in this generation. There seems to be 
no possibility of escape. The public and the 
law-makers hold the same views of expectancy 
with the ignorant, that some wonderful dis- 
covery may be announced at any hour, pos- 
sessing all the curative abilities for which 
they have so long looked in vain. 

With such a public judgment the profes- 
sion hold a position of unmistakable disad- 
vantage, in the fact that while such is the 
expectancy and direction of discovery taught, 
there is less apparent consistency in denoun- 
cing a possible greater discovery. A very 
numerous people are fast accepting the belief 
that medicine manufacturers are really at the 
head of the profession. Is it not quite too 
often true ? They are presumed to make the 
wonderful discoveries in medical science, and 
prepare the " active curative properties " in 
readiness for duty; while the physician be- 
comes the go-between or common carrier of 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 169 

the wonderful discovery to the bedside of the 
afflicted. We regret to say that appearances, 
custom, and apparent common consent con- 
tribute to the perpetuation of such a belief. 

The medical profession of to-day are the 
victims of a transmitted delusion of medical 
philosophy, which makes the profession re- 
sponsible for this age of gullibility and medi- 
cated invalidism unequalled in the history 
of human misfortunes. As fast as one re- 
puted discovery has been determined by ex- 
periment not to meet the emergency, two 
more appear above the horizon clothed in 
language more cheering. Thus there is de- 
veloped a condition of delusive hopefulness 
that maintains a cloud of superstitious belief 
which is appalling to contemplate. The de- 
lusion of cultured expectancy on one side, and 
confessed ignorance of the laws of organic 
force on the other, presents such a deplora- 
ble state of thought that our people are ever 
ready to make trial of every vaunted specific 
of speculative discovery, — thus parting with 



170 HIGHER MEDTCAL CULTURE. 

their money, health, and many times their 
lives, in pursuit of this phantom of mysterious 
curative agency. We must also remember 
that the law of disease makes it possible in 
many ailments to recover, with little if any 
aid through medical appliance ; and that, 
based on this fact, great reputations of cura- 
tive power have been established with simple 
compounds, whose curative principles have 
been thus experimentally determined and es- 
tablished, and vouched for by numerous re- 
corded statistics of cure from the hands of 
those who know the least about the subject. 
In such cases, the principle implied in the 
modus operandi is quite like the North Amer- 
ican Indian method formerly used to arrest 
eclipses of the moon. A general din and 
clatter of all possible noises persistently en- 
forced always experimentally succeeded in 
driving away the monster who was preying 
on the earth's satellite. While the culture of 
civilization finds cause for much merriment 
with such fancy, what can be more conclu- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 171 

sive and accepted as satisfactory proof of an 
existing curative agency in material medicine 
than well attested records of experimental 
trial with such remedies ? 

As we have previously remarked, there is 
no protection in law, and no protection in 
thought outside of law. The people are edu- 
cated to become victims, and turned over to 
the tender mercies of the unscrupulous im- 
postor, and censured for the credulity which 
has permitted such development of events. 
Thus for a long time generations have come 
into the world philosophically weighted with 
a destiny against which they have had no 
power to contend. 

As seriously as it may be possible to expe- 
rience regret for this state of affairs, it be- 
comes equally charitable to ask what is 
being done in the way of enlightening the 
people above such possibility of becoming 
victimized ? Nothing, nothing at all ! They 
are being educated into this condition. They 
are educated against the possibility of ra- 



172 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

tional thought to be made applicable for their 
own protection. They are not educated to 
comprehend that a medical practice of scien- 
tific guidance is based on the laws of organic 
force, which affords premises of great supe- 
riority to the cultured mind for the fulfilment 
of such practice, but are educated to look for 
aid through some mysterious agency of " ac- 
tive" ability in material medicine, which is 
open to discovery and practice by the uncul- 
tured, of unquestioned expectant correctness. 
It is lamentably true that an ambition to be- 
come a millionaire in a brief time finds no 
opening so equally hopeful as preying on 
human credulity in brazen announcements of 
a "wonderful medical discovery." This is 
not only a personal matter of the greatest 
importance, but it is also a national ques- 
tion of the degeneracy and undermining of 
the physical strength of the people, thus seri- 
ously enhancing the condition of invalidism, 
which should appeal to every thoughtful 
philanthropist. 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 173 

A true knowledge of medical science is not 
alone for the cure of disease, but to enable us 
to prevent disease. The study of physiology 
in our common schools effects but little in 
the way of prevention ; such study only con- 
tributes to a comprehension of vital action in 
health. The general principles of pathologi- 
cal vital action should be taught; otherwise 
no comprehension can develop of that depart- 
ment we care not to experience and wish to 
avoid. The time is coming — and it will be 
of much greater value than a pension — when 
each stafe will furnish free to all homes some 
general instruction of the meaning of patho- 
logical vital action, together with some gen- 
eral principles of management in aid of 
recovery and proper appliance until the ar- 
rival of the physician. In place of this, we 
now have a multiplicity of recipes and medi- 
cal compounds for applied experimental prac- 
tice, the relation of which, together with the 
nature and law of the disorder, are sub- 
jects entirely outside of the comprehension 



174 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

of the people. While the present plan of 
" active medical property " has supplied 
premises which reflect most seriously against 
the acquirement of scientific principles im- 
plied in organic force, it furnishes no prem- 
ises for thought which can be distinguishable 
by the laity unlike what the ignorant pre- 
tender can supply, with equal fluency, in 
praise of the many curative abilities pertain- 
ing to his latest discovery. The people have 
not been made to comprehend that there ex- 
ist great and important fundamental princi- 
ples in the nature of organic force,\)f great 
significance in giving usefulness and distinc- 
tion to a special professional culture. 

So long as the doctrines of a medical sci- 
ence are so low down in scientific attain- 
ment that the ignorant pretender can often 
command the entire confidence of the people, 
and so long as medical practice is based 
on the level of a presumed agency out- 
side the human organism existing in the 
name of " active medical property," there will 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 175 

seem to be required some interference by the 
legislatures to protect our people. When we 
seek legislative interference to establish lines 
and controlling judgment of protection, we 
may find much consolation in the fact that 
no legislative act has ever been required to 
prevent ignorant people from making astro- 
nomical calculations, or practising the science 
of chemistry. It should be made susceptible 
of comprehension that medical science is a de- 
partment of science of organic forces, requir- 
ing greatly superior ability to reap its many 
advantages over what is required in the de- 
partments of inorganic science. Medical ed- 
ucation should elevate medical doctrines to the 
standard of a science, in harmony with laws 
made and provided. 

The ideal medical science with a very 
large majority of the laity is but slightly 
removed from the low level of a mechanical 
appliance of a medical power to keep the 
organic machinery in motion ; while as a fact 
no other department in the affairs of Nature 



176 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

in which the mind has had cause to make 
research reveals such intricate and wonder- 
ful expressions of Divine wisdom as may be 
found in this department, with which the 
physician has occasion to have intimate rela- 
tions of acquaintance, — a required acquaint- 
ance and comprehension so far above all 
possibility of attainment without special cul- 
ture, that no reasonable person entertaining 
a belief in such a department of Nature 
would dare trust for a day the management 
of his invalidism in other hands than those 
of one specially educated to comprehend the 
laws of organic force which execute every 
act of life. 



WHY DO PEOPLE DRINK ALCO- 
HOLIC SPIRITS? 

HHIS subject is so controversially related 
-*• to the medical doctrines of the period 
that it becomes difficult to do justice to this 
source of human affliction without coming 
into complicated relations with the depart- 
ment of medical science. We find an ex- 
pectancy with the people which is supported 
by a common culture, or consent of belief, 
which becomes experimentally seriously at 
variance with long anticipated results. And 
to make reply to the question, Why do people 
drink alcoholic spirits ? would include prem- 
ises which imply explanations dependent on 
the doctrines of our medical schools ; and 
we are persuaded to say that in the name of 
two alleged reasons may be found cause for 
such practice. 

12 



178 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

One cause is dependent on the fact to 
which we alluded when considering the four 
vital properties ; namely, that sensation is a 
department of human experience of irritabil- 
ity and pain in one direction from the normal 
standard of such life property, while in the 
opposite direction a condition of agreeable 
sensation can be made to prevail from a con- 
tact relation of certain material, in the list of 
which alcoholic spirit is included. Now, it is 
further to be considered that the sensation 
thus occasioned, which becomes more pleas- 
urable or agreeable, and is sought to be made 
more satisfactory, is very largely an agree- 
able experience of comparative relation ; 
that is, a previous disagreeable sensation is 
being experienced, which it is desirable to 
make pleasurable by the use of alcoholic 
spirit. Now, it is this fact which contributes 
to develop the inference that whatever causes 
a person to feel better becomes valid evidence 
in support of the appropriateness of the prac- 
tice which has been pursued. While such 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 179 

may be a justifiable conclusion in many in- 
stances, it is far from being correct in all 
cases. 

It should not escape notice that such exhil- 
aration is a deviation from that normal stan- 
dard of sensation that is later followed by an 
opposite disagreeable sensation that might 
not otherwise have prevailed to that extent, 
— which condition may again find cause ac- 
ceptable for the repeating of the same prac- 
tice. With many, a primary agreeable 
nervine sensation is experienced which be- 
comes quite fascinating as a condition of 
pleasure, and is repeated in anticipation of 
a " glorious good time," without thought 
of what may attach to such practice later. 
Thus one is deluded by an inferential reason, 
which encourages a practice that develops 
abnormal sensation on each side of the nor- 
mal standard of a healthy sensation. That 
is, one feels better, and he feels worse ; and 
he thus continues to live a see-saw life of 
up-and-down, trying to establish a continu- 



180 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

ance of normal balance of healthy sensation. 
Such application often prevails with medical 
treatment. 

The reason and philosophy of the party in- 
dulging in this experience is made to apply 
only in one direction; that is, when he has 
the experience of a disagreeable sensation, he 
resorts to the experimental practice which 
contributes to a better feeling, — omitting to 
infer that the same cause may develop first a 
better and then a worse sensation, thus never 
recovering that continuous balance which has 
no occasion for further appliance of antici- 
pated improvement. The victim of delusion 
with this fascinating experience fails to recog- 
nize that the science of anticipated recovery 
is implied in the omission of such remedy 
rather than with its continuance. Thus the 
department of sensation in human experience 
often becomes persuasive to the drinking of 
spirituous liquors. 

While one cause is found with relations to 
sensation, the other cause, of far greater mag- 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 181 

nitude, is found in the belief — which is sup- 
ported both by educational precept and by 
a multiplicity of example — that alcoholic 
spirit contributes a latent aid which sustains 
and comes to human relief when vital powers 
are prostrate, and thus runs the machinery 
of life while the vital powers are recuper- 
ating. From the United States Dispensa- 
tory, the standard authority on matters of 
this kind, we quote: "Alcohol is a very 
powerful, diffusible stimulant ; in a diluted 
state it gives additional energy to the mus- 
cles and temporary exaltation to the mental 
faculties. " This accepted authority does not 
inform the reader that stimulation is a phe- 
nomenon exhibited by the involuntary life 
forces, of precisely similar principle, so far as 
it is a gift of energy, as is that of the whip 
which gives stimulation to the voluntary life 
forces of the horse. 

An eminent Professor says that " there are 
conditions in which alcohol acts simply as 
material for the production of force, and may 



182 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

be looked upon as a food which requires no 
digestion, and sets free in a useful form its 
latent energy." Without waste of words in 
discussing the premises, it remains &fact that 
the practice of drinking spirituous liquors is 
based very largely on the belief that some 
mysterious prophylactic or supporting agency 
is derived from such compounds, — a belief 
further supported by the agreeable sensation 
produced by them, while no delusion ever 
had a stronger hold on a people. Anti-alco- 
holic literature is more freely circulated each 
year, although such literature has never 
made issue with doctrines of medical schools 
to any noticeable degree, yet they have been 
recognized sufficiently to require a review of 
the premises. 

Says Ex-Senator John J. Ingalls : " I ad- 
mit the prohibition question is one of the 
most stupendous questions that ever engaged 
the attention of the human mind. It is one 
of the greatest problems of the present cen- 
tury." Now, we ask, why does this question 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 183 

assume such mammoth proportions ? Simply, 
because our institutions of law are trying to 
suppress what our intellectual and scientific 
institutions are advising our people to do. 
Or, in other words, an effort is being made 
to coerce a people to do right, while they 
are continually being educated to do wrong. 
Give our people correct thoughts, and we 
shall have less use, or no use, for coercive 
measures with the intelligent. Our medical 
books and medical teachers continue to affirm 
that alcoholic spirit gives support to the hu- 
man organism, and this, together with the 
administration of alcoholic spirit for nearly 
every conceivable ailment, causes such an 
irresistible tendency of conviction to this 
erroneous belief that but few minds can 
repel the persuasion. What reason have the 
people for not thus believing ? 

Such is the practice of the physicians with 
the laity, and also of the laity with them- 
selves. They most conscientiously think that 
it is right, and they do not think that it is 



184 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

wrong. The direction of a thought may de- 
termine the destiny of a nation. 

While the temperance advocates may con- 
demn the practice of dram-drinking, and 
desire to inflict punishment for the practice 
of what drinkers are educated to believe is 
right, we should exercise much charity in 
their behalf ; especially while they are strug- 
gling to comprehend the mental problem 
how it is that an alcoholic mixture well 
sweetened, with mint in it, which makes 
them feel better, and which the United States 
Dispensatory affirms will " give additional 
energy to muscles, and a temporary exalta- 
tion to the mental faculties," can be any less 
useful when they take it on their own judg- 
ment than when they take it by advice of 
the physician. The individual who prescribes 
for himself knows better than the college 
doctor that his muscles are tired, and that 
his brain is in need of exaltation. While 
our nation entertains much pride in its de- 
veloped influences of education, we find that 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 185 

in this particular direction the punishment 
of the individual who seeks to profit by his 
education is advised through legal channels. 

Medical literature the world over informs 
the people that alcohol is a " powerful stimu- 
lant." It is important that we examine this 
language, go down into it, find out what it 
means and how it applies, — whether such 
term is expressive of a scientific principle 
and fact, or an undefined phraseology of 
merely business convenience. If this lan- 
guage is expressive of a something which has 
a counterpart in certain phenomena, we should 
examine the phenomena, get down from the 
dignity of education to the business of com- 
prehension, which may afford a correct idea 
with the laity, and possibly with the profes- 
sion in some instances. It becomes extremely 
important to examine these phenomena, which 
are implied in a fulfilment and presentment 
in the name of " powerful stimulation," to 
endeavor to learn their true explanation, — 
whether or not the explanation holds any 



186 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

relation of sequence to the language which 
is made symbolic of such phenomena as 
a gift of energy derived from the alcohol. 
It is important to compare the general be- 
lief on this subject with the facts implied 
in it. 

What is stimulation ? what is really done 
in the act of stimulation ? and what power is 
involved in the doing ? Let us try and un- 
derstand this correctly. 

Now what is implied in the general belief 
of the laity, as a presumed fact, is that the 
word " stimulation " as an applied term signi- 
fies that an artificial supply of power from 
another source has been introduced to help 
propel the machinery of life, or " set free its 
latent energy " in aid of individual support. 
Is this idea correct ? For the purpose of 
illustrating the u powerful stimulant prop- 
erty " or " action " of alcohol on the human 
organism, we place in the stomach a certain 
relative quantity of alcoholic spirit, and watch 
for the new phenomena, the new facts of 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 187 

activity ', which may come to our notice. We 
discover an increased activity of the heart ; 
a larger volume of blood is propelled through 
the superficial vessels, with an increased 
temperature of the skin. This fact is called 
the evidence of stimulation, or manifestation 
of the " action " of alcohol. We now know 
what has been done ; but what power or ac- 
tion really executed this new order of doing ? 
The people have been persuaded to accept the 
inference that this increased activity of the 
heart, in this illustration, is due to the sup- 
ply of an artificial energy introduced into the 
human organism from without, which energy 
is inherent in the alcohol. 

It is now before us to consider whether 
this increased activity of the heart, as a fact, 
is due to the supply of a new power, or is an 
increased action of the vital power of the in- 
individual, thus directed in relation to the 
alcohol with an instinctive view to elimina- 
tion. This is a very important problem in 
practical science. 



188 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

We are under obligation to consider both 
forms of this proposition. In support of the 
latter, we should seek such premises as may 
afford a reasonable analogy. We find that 
the great plan of life has endowed human 
involuntary vital ability with a limited power 
to expel foreign material. No one denies 
this as applied to various other material, and 
it is rational to infer that the plan remains 
the same with all foreign material. And 
who denies that alcohol is a foreign material, 
when existing within the human organism ? 
The possibility of a continued existence of 
the individual requires that foreign material 
should be expelled. Such is a living vital 
principle, pointing in a direction which af- 
fords us rational premises to infer, to say the 
least, that the activity called stimulation is 
none other than the individual vital ability 
acting with more energy in this particular 
direction. Experiment with alcohol has de- 
termined that alcohol and its oxidized prod- 
uct is eliminated or expelled very largely 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 189 

through the skin aud lungs. Now to effect 
this exit rapidly, an increased activity of the 
heart is implied, to propel a larger volume of 
blood in that direction. What power propels 
the heart, — the alcohol or the vital ? It 
seems that the alcohol either goes out, or is 
put out : which is true ? The heart continues 
in motion after the alcohol is out, in a manner 
quite similar to that in which hearts behave 
that move independently of alcohol. 

We think it would be a very delicate prob- 
lem to determine just when the " active " 
alcohol power terminated, and the vital 
power rallied to the rescue. Basing the 
practice on the fact that the presence of a 
certain relative quantity of alcoholic spirit 
may afford cause for the heart to send a more 
voluminous quantity of blood to the surface, 
we have then to consider that behind such a 
possible fact must exist sufficient vital energy 
to execute such act; otherwise, the alcohol 
presence holds serious relations. If the con- 
ditions are favorable, and the physician wishes 



190 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

to employ this power of involuntary prin- 
ciple — which is the only power he ever does 
employ — with a view to establish a better 
balanced condition of the individual circula- 
tion, contributing to a more hopeful expect- 
ancy of continued life, it is not prudent or 
wise, from a scientific standpoint, to pervert 
that philosophy or reason which explains the 
fact. Such a perversion leads to establishing 
premises derogatory to sound philosophy, in- 
telligence, and scientific professional attain- 
ment ; also, to dangerous complications. 

On the other side, let us examine those 
premises and facts which have prompted and 
do inspire that kind of reasoning which has 
endowed alcohol with " active stimulating 
properties." The apparent proof is found 
alone in the one fact that the human organ- 
ism frequently manifests more power in a 
certain direction after a certain quantity of 
alcohol has been taken into the stomach. 
This is the sum total of evidence in support 
of the allegation that alcohol can "give 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

energy " to the human organism, 
crude reasoning, based wholly on appe 
with a deduction that fails to exhibit 
thought of rational principle. It if 
periment of bringing chemical coi 
low down in classification into conti 
tions with living tissues, and claimin 
ability with the living principle in e. 
the phenomena of activity. 

Considering the fact unquestioned tl 
exists a vital power to eliminate, it 
inferential from a logical standpoint 
that alcohol, a foreign material, in 
contributing more power, does occasi< 
to the existing vital fund in store. Ac 
such premises, how can it be true 
alcohol occasions a waste of vital po\ 
ever possible that alcohol may be usej 
administered in a condition of collaps< 

This seeming paradox may be illi 
first, by considering the fact that al 
expelled largely through the skin, o 

the heart's nrvtinn. heenmincr np.e.f 



192 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

affords a much greater fulness of superficial 
circulation. Now, the condition of collapse 
is one of internal congestion, with a super- 
ficial deficiency of blood, — coldness of sur- 
face. The unbalanced condition of the blood 
tends more to death in many instances than 
does the existing prostration. When this is 
true, — remember it is not always true, — 
and there is a remaining vital energy to a 
certain degree, it becomes possible that the 
presence of the alcoholic spirit may be a cause 
for the vital energy to display its powers in 
that direction which will establish a more 
nearly balanced circulation, which condition 
is far more favorable to the continuance of 
life with a less stock of vital energy than 
would be the existing condition of superficial 
coldness and internal congestion. Practi- 
cally, and with a correct philosophy to guide 
us, it becomes a difficult problem to solve, 
many times, whether the existing vital energy 
in the individual case before us will safely 
admit of this practice. If one believes that 



HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

the phenomena called stimulation an 
from active energy belonging to the i 
spirit, the practice is liable to that r 
which would exhaust vital energy an 
permanent collapse and death at 
period. 

We sometimes entertain the que 
many recognize such principles a: 
with the use of stimulants ? And 
we have had good cause in some ins 
believe that the practitioner in givi 
holic spirit had no other idea t 
expectancy that he was transferring 
energy to his patient. Practising f] 
rect premises, there would be mucl 
courage the expectation that the us 
liquid nourishment and external 
with less alcoholic spirit, would be p 
in many cases. The doctrine that 
stimulation is a " giving of additional 
to the individual when introduced wi 
stomach, is in principle and fact qu 



194 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

gives to the horse when applied outside the 
stomach. The two illustrations are alike, 
with this distinction : the alcohol may occa- 
sion the involuntary vital abilities to mani- 
fest strength in a direction which would not 
otherwise have been exhibited, while the 
whip may occasion the voluntary abilities to 
manifest strength in a different direction. 
The philosophic delusion which encourages to 
the belief that alcohol may tone up the sys- 
tem may find that support in the dignity of 
education which seems to forbid criticism 
while the application of the whip to tone up 
a horse would appeal to that society with a 
long name. 

Alcoholic spirit may sometimes be of pos- 
sible use to cause a different direction of vital 
activity under some circumstances ; yet alco- 
holic spirit does not contribute energy. In 
illustration of the doctrinal and applied use 
of alcoholic spirit, with a view to contribute 
supporting energy, we have an example for 
which the English newspapers become re- 



sponsible. Prince Albert was " kept on 
nlants for five or six days," but all 
sudden prostration supervened, and t 
phoid set in, and the end came. The 1: 
of treatment which many eminent men 
received during their last days is a s 
not pleasant to contemplate with ration 
pectancy from a standpoint of conservat 
vital energy. Because no one doubts o 
demns the propriety of certain treatmen 
sents in itself no evidence of its correc 
The human family are on record as 
unanimous in many beliefs and practi< 
serious detriment to both physical and 
tal capacity. The people should take 
cient interest in those subjects which 
to the possibility of a continued exister 
otherwise, and demand that some me; 
be adopted to cause a review of the 
implied principles involved in the pre: 
The dignity of ignoring many imp 
scientific questions is far from being 
sistent, or conducive to the legitima 



196 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

mands and requirements of a people. When 
we seek to propel the heart by the continu- 
ance of the presumed alcohol energy,- the per- 
son dies when the vital energy becomes 
exhausted, rather than the alcohol supply. 
The continuance of the presumed alcohol 
energy always exhausts the vital energy. 
Now this is a singular fact, provided that 
alcohol contributes a gift of energy to man. 

The so called toning up of the system with 
alcoholic spirit receives approval, not for real 
value received of strength, but for the more 
agreeable sensation occasioned while the pa- 
tient is gaining strength from nutritive sup- 
ply, which is mistaken for an incoming of 
strength, the agreeable sensation becoming 
a soothing solace to hopeful expectancy. To 
what extent we are justified in contributing 
to agreeable sensation with such appliance is 
a question not of legitimate discussion at this 
time. The happiness of life comes to the 
individual through their Sensation and Sen- 
sibility, and many people seek to enjoy the 



former to an abnormal degree, rather 
the higher pleasures of the latter, 
should have appeared in the Great Bo< 
phrase, " Be moderate with the pleasu 
sensation." The pleasures of abnorm; 
sation derived from alcoholic spirit, < 
and tobacco are of great detriment b 
the nervous system and to Sensibility. 
The doctrine of " energy " as an assc 
gift of alcohol is really one of the mo 
portant subjects for consideration bj 
generation. Do not permit yourself t 
sign this question to insignificance. I 
feel that your dignity of intellect is be 
in being called to the importance o 
question. It is this belief which is the 
est and most serious delusion that errc 
philosophy ever inflicted on a people, 
ing the last twentv vears various bills 
been introduced asking for Congres 
acts authorizing a commission to inve; 
and report on the evils consequent on 
ing spirituous liquor, with a view to d 



198 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

some method which might be of general aid 
in correcting such evil. The consolidated 
statistics of misery that might be reported 
would contribute little aid in frightening a 
people into better w^ays. The true method of 
correcting this unconscious tendency to evil 
would be to include in such bill a require- 
ment for a report which would appeal to the 
people on an educational basis. While it is 
true that such bills have always invoked the 
aid of science, it has ever been lamentably 
true that there has been no science born to 
respond to the appeal. An act of Congress 
to nationalize the importance of this subject 
through a commission, to be handled as an 
educational question and presented and sup- 
ported on scientific premises which could not 
be construed in aid of political influence, 
would achieve more beneficial results and 
promote more harmony with our people 
than all methods heretofore suggested for 
consideration. 

Erroneous education has ever made con- 



JtllVjrtlH<ri lUilUlL/Alj KjULjUJIXEi. 



scientious conviction and acceptec 
contributary to the continuance of 
spirit drinking. The first step tc 
to set right the thoughts of an i 
people. Says Alexander Bain, in 
on Logic, when alluding to the el 
tellectual acquirements : " The ur 
where to look for the next openhr 
covery brings the pain of conflict 
debilitv of indecision." When we s 
premises and intricate relations of < 
wisdom in this department of tin 
forces, there is much to exalt th 
mind with the belief that a highe: 
pervaded the plans of our Creator 
of our endowed abilities for a cont 
istence on earth than man has yet s 
comprehend. A new field for tl 
open in this direction, replete with 
ing expressions of adjustment whic 
persede in expressed wisdom for 01 
all other departments of scientific 
the brief resume of this subject, we s 



200 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

accept such facts and premises for considera- 
tion as are true. We must engage with this 
subject in a manner and direction which is 
consistent with a rational idea of business 
from a standpoint of fact, and which human 
intellect will accept as both logical and prac- 
tical. We are to consider that the human 
family drink or partake of alcoholic com- 
pounds because they have been educated so 
to do. Their beliefs are supported with an 
honesty of purpose guaranteed by the doc- 
trines of our medical schools. 

The principles of our government, with its 
liberties of thought and action supported by 
the doctrines of our schools, makes it un- 
reasonable to believe that our people will be 
restrained to any great extent by legislative 
enactments which are contrary to their hon- 
est belief and judgment. We cannot afford 
to be unreasonable and inconsistent with 
our interpretations of the guiding element of 
human nature, and thus direct our labors 
with that opposition which is without rational 



JilUttJilK M£m<JALi LUL.TUKJ 

reason for hope. We must admi 
kind have been taught to drinl 
compounds for the strength whic 
supposed to impart to the human 
We must accept the truism that 
persons drink alcoholic compounc 
self-prescribed or from professioi 
with the belief that a strengthei 
has thus been supplied them. r 
tions to this statement are very I 
this belief is supported by the d 
our medical schools through all 
historic mention ; and with this 
reasonable to expect little, if ai 
nent re term through legislation 

also becomes distinctly sell'-evide: 
must look either to compulsion 01 
for relief. Compulsion does not I 
mend itself to the human mind, 
cation has never been tried. W( 
have a subject before us which ap] 
most profound wisdom of the a 
find that the medical school doctr 



202 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

and alcohol does thus supply a power, the 
agitation of this subject should cease at once, 
and the people should be supplied with a large 
stock of this alcohol power. 

All methods for the suppression of alco- 
holic drink have ever been neutralized by the 
doctrines of the medical schools. This state- 
ment of the subject and problem should not 
be ignored. The people have a right to de- 
mand a better doctrine from the medical 
schools. This subject is not alone for pro- 
fessional opinions, but one which relates to 
the masses, and is without pride or dignity 
of college culture to them. This doctrine of 
power insures a belief practically carrying 
to the hearts and homes of our people innu- 
merable woes and miseries of a lifetime of 
suffering. 

Now, if this doctrine of a medical power 
in alcohol is a delusion, what is to be done 
about it ? What can be done about it ? The 
remedy consists in calling the attention of 
all thinking persons to this delusion, and 



in supplying them with premises wh 
enable them to think on this subjec 
think is to become educated ; to 
only, is debasing to human mental 
comprehend establishes a self-relianc( 
guides actions into better relations, pi 
and results. To whom should we 1 
that pushing energy which carries 
tion to the people ? This is not a ] 
question. It is a subject not amen 
party power. It is as far removed fr 
possibility of adjustment by political 
as would be the subject of any other 
tional question in science. A right < 
energy from an intellectual standpoin 
do more to restrain and correct humai 
tions in one year than all that legislai 
do in twenty years. There must b 
if we expect a harvest. The inhabil 
the world at this period have becom 
amenable to intelligence than coercic 
tempted coercion against belief and ec 
always was, and always will be, difl 



204 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

maintain, and fails to command respect. It 
is well to remember that law is made for the 
protection of our people, and that the' people 
never demand protection or enforcement of 
law without the belief that they are in dan- 
ger. Therefore, while nearly all our people 
do believe that alcohol imparts a useful poiver 
to the human organism, it is not rational to 
expect they will be very persistent for the 
enforcement of a law which would suppress 
such a vast amount of expected good. Thus 
it becomes plain for our consideration, that 
law succeeds to a moral conviction when it is 
ever successful ; that behind the law must be 
the conscience and positive conviction of our 
people. 

Our people are devising means to avert 
such calamities, and are looking for hope in 
some kind of legislation. Legislation may 
be available with a certain number who are 

k 

never influenced through educational chan- 
nels. Yet education becomes the only guide 
for the intelligent. Yet there remains to be 



considered that if this medical d( 
energy in alcohol, as set forth, is t 
right has an ignorant legislature to 
suppress, or punish the individual f< 
ing and using the curative powers i 
for the sustaining and strengtheni 
vital organism ? If this doctrine of 
energy is expressive of a scientific 
legislation would be unconstitutioi 
have already mentioned that this d 
medical and alcoholic power is dej 
the intellect. It begets a belief w 
ports the assurance that little impo 
lates to who shall supply this allege 
It places a premium on premises for 
bition of bombast and ignorance, ai 
our people to be robbed a thousa 
worse than all the lottery and gar 
stitutions of the nation could effec 
ing them to become easy victim! 
unscrupulous ; while the true docl 
vital power only is responsible : 
activity exhibited by the living 



206 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

will become the most efficient protection 
for the people, and establish a high ele- 
vation for professional thought and- useful- 
ness, commanding a respect never previously 
bestowed on any department of scientific 
culture. 

The proof relative to the correctness of 
this subject, as presented, does not rest on 
human testimony any more than the doctrine 
that the earth was the centre of the solar 
system. It is true that the medical profes- 
sion have given but little attention to the 
study of this department of vital power, and 
the laws which govern this special ability ; 
they have been deluded into the attempt of 
trying to explain their science from false 
premises. 

We have alluded to the laws pertaining to 
this subject quite briefly, yet, we hope, suffi- 
ciently to awaken an interest for further 
research. No other department of erudition 
has been supplied by Nature with such possi- 
bilities for the development of genius, judg- 



ment, usefulness, and far-seeing dis< 
of mysterious forces and compensat 
ties, of the highest elaborated powe 
have been presented for human consi 
as is found legitimate to the scop 
physician in the study of those vita 
which relate to the preservation of 
est organization of creative wisdom. 
In conclusion, we believe that 
premises of a medical science are 
the laws of organic force ; and, so i 
know, this is the first suggestion of 
the basis of a medical practice from 
trine of " active medical property,' 
ference of statistical result, to 
outlined of laws and principles ope 
the department of organic force, 
nothing is lost to the advantage c 
ence, but more correct premises beco 
able in making such experience 
We may further add, that while w< 
infallible, the premises of a science 
the opposite ; and it would be a ver\ 



208 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

fact, with such experience in a new field, to 
escape good cause for criticism. While we 
have not been over modest in this direction, 
we have sought to present such principles for 
consideration as seem legitimately to belong 
to this department. And we invite the 
thoughtful reader to make a most searching 
and critical review; and where we have exer- 
cised more imagination than correct repre- 
sentation of the transpiring events of organic 
life, we trust no modesty will suppress the 
making known such fact. We believe in a 
healthy, honest criticism, which may prune 
our department of its superfluities, and of 
traditional doctrines that have ever been in 
the way of a clearer perception of the prin- 
ciples of a science. While we have only 
introduced the plan of a medical science, it 
should be the aim of all true disciples of 
science to join in establishing premises for 
a theory and practice which may do honor 
to the intellectual pride of our department, 
and thus develop the advantages which are 



alone possible with a special culture 
will be appreciated and recognized v 
everlasting gratitude by the deservii 
legitimate requirements of an int< 
people. 



14 



SUMMARY. 

/ nr*HE human organism never acquires 
■*- strength from other material than nu- 
tritive. The idea of a medical property being 
implied in a quality which heals and acts, and 
the definition that to medicate is to " impreg- 
nate with healing substances " are delusions. 
Material medicine has only physical prop- 
erties in common with other material, while 
such material has medical relations in place 
of " active properties." 

We have presented a theory for the prac- 
tice of a medical science based on the laws 
of organic force, — a department of unsolved 
problem, thus confessed by all writers of 
medical literature who have sought to engage 
with the enigma of life forces, — a theory 
that can be verified by the phenomena of 



life in quite significant distinction t( 
trine of " active medical property," 
without representation among the 
ing events of Nature. We have pr 
theory of facts in medical science, r< 
ary in its method of applied thoug 
relation of disease problems and app 
ical practice. We have presented a 
for the development of thought ne 
ersed by writers of medical philosoj 
have set up a positive theory of m( 
ence, not possible to be supported 1 
diction, and as easily verified thr 
transpiring events of organic naturi 
possible in astronomical science to 
theories of that department. 

It is rational to infer that, a th< 
science being absolutely wrong, th( 
of it in relation to the lives of 
would give us occasion to fear that 
ous consequences might result froi 
practice based on premises where e: 
must be so frequently without p( 



212 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

while from the basis of active organic force 
the disease problem and the treatment of va- 
rious ailments would receive a very different 
application of thought relative to methods in 
aid of conservation of vital energy. 

While a correct knowledge of medical 
science or the science of organic force is a 
department of paramount importance in aid 
of that management which may contribute to 
a possible continuance of life, it is not pre- 
sumed an easy task to make a doctrinal 
theory of such department appear void, not- 
withstanding it may be fallacious, without 
putting in its place a substitute. A theory of 
a science which it is sought to retire, as well 
as the one to be introduced, must each be 
submitted to the most exacting crucial test 
that rational reason can apply in explanation 
of correctly verified phenomena. 

While it is the people who are to become 
the recipients and beneficiaries of a more 
conservative and life-saving medical practice, 
we trust they will cause such a critical re- 






view of the premises here set forth to 
as to develop a universal recognitio 
entire laity that one not cultured in 
partment of the organic force of ] 
methods of vital activity shall be ( 
by universal individual proclamatior 
and incompetent, from that meddl 
the affairs of vital force in disease w 
so long been permitted with direful i 
speculative industrial pursuit. 

The introduction of this new t' 
medical science presents a singular 
of rare occurrence in the history c 
wherein is suggested a philosophical 
relative to which antecedent philoso] 
ering and including the same facts \ 
little or no aid in determining the 
ness of its alleged validity. How 
determine the intrinsic worth, cor 
and validity of this doctrinal theory 
cal science, based on the four vital p 
and laws of organic force as presente 
volume ? Are we not compelled to : 



214 HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE. 

the same methods which have determined the 
validity of other departments of theoretical 
science ? The doctrines of alchemy were 
not sufficiently comprehensive and verified to 
be capable of weighing the chemical theory 
of subsequent presentment ; but determined 
laws of verified chemical science could weigh 
correctly the fallacious doctrines of alchemy. 
The pre-Copernican theory of astronomy was 
not capable of making a true estimate, and 
giving correct weight to the validity of the 
Copernican philosophy, but the reverse. The 
present doctrines of accepted medical philos- 
ophy are not competent to weigh the validity 
of the doctrines of medical science, based 
on the vital properties and laws of organic 
force ; but medical science based on the 
principles of organic force becomes compe- 
tent to give a correct estimate and valuation 
of that medical philosophy based on the 
imaginary principle called " active medical 
property. 5 ' 

Thus it becomes evident that the validity 



and correctness [of a theory of m 
ence based on the principles of org* 
like other departments of previou 
oped theoretical science, must be c 
within itself. It must be determii: 
verification of correctly named prin 
laws in harmony with facts, and in 
with the transpiring events of > 
medical science is based on organ 
different plan and different law 
representation, it becomes the dut; 
cal scientists to contribute such in 
Medical science is not based on 
ment of man, but man is required 
consistent and comprehensive ju< 
the principles and laws of the s 
order to make practical the advan 
contributed. 



THE END. 



. 



